Aside from COVID 19, climate change is a top priority in Government and in the hearts and souls of many of us. Undoubtedly, we all need to start reducing our emissions to preserve the planet for future generations.

We are currently monitoring any changes to policy and Government guidance as a result of COVID-19, that may affect our clients and their rural businesses. Here, are some of the latest updates we are keen to advise you of.

In this month’s budget the Chancellor indicated that Robert Jenrick, Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government would be announcing ‘major reforms to simplify the planning system’. Some measures have been announced in the ‘Planning For the Future’ Paper that are predominantly ‘urban centric’ but recent changes that are of interest to our rural clients are listed below.

A budget understandably dominated by Coronavirus showed the ’One Nation’ ethos of the Johnson regime. Huge commitment to the NHS, support of small business, pension protection and sick pay meant that much of the rumoured changes to the rural economy (IHT reform, Diesel etc.) did not come to light.

Contrary to what is often thought about the limitations of rural planning policy, Rural Solutions offers an alternative perspective. Our planners suggest that there are several ongoing changes to the way the planning system deals with rural housing issues, which affords rural estates a great opportunity in contributing to solving the housing crisis affecting many areas of the countryside.