News & Insights

As pioneers in the industry we are often in the news; here we list various things that may interest you – Industry Comments are topical items of relevance to many of our clients, In The News includes generic news releases that are similarly topical and interesting.

Be Inspired is our thinking intended to help thought leaders and those embarking on the rural development and diversification journey. Other news items include things that our clients and we are proud of and share them with you to help, interest and sometimes amuse.

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EASING OF PLANNING RESTRICTIONS FOR CARAVAN AND HOLIDAY PARK OPERATORS AMONG COVID-19 RECOVERY PLANS

July 17, 2020

On July 14th, Rt Hon. Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government issued a Written Ministerial Statement advising that it was easing restrictions on the seasonal opening of holiday parks in England in order to aid the sector’s recovery from the impacts of closures from Covid-19.

WHOLE ESTATE PLANS: VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE – WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE, 11.45AM

May 26, 2020

We hope that many of you will have found and enjoyed some of the webinars from the Transforming the Future of Land Management series being run by the Land Management 2.0 team over the last few weeks. There are more to come and you can listen to and view all the presentations to date

PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY

May 13, 2020

In a letter to the Government’s Chief Planner Michael Bingham OBE Rural Solutions has today called for a Ministerial Statement to draw planning decision makers’ attention to the NPPFs requirement that significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account the current and future business needs and wider opportunities for development and that decision makers should be pay special attention towards supporting economic growth at a time when this need is urgent and pressing.

RURAL SOLUTIONS SERVICE LEVEL UPDATE FOR MAY

May 1, 2020

Following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Rural Solutions has so far, albeit with some changes to our abilities to hold site visits, maintained ‘business as usual’; through our team working from home and holding all communications through digital channels. For full details of this please refer to our earlier service level update that we issued in March at the beginning of lockdown.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROB HINDLE DELIVERS “WHOLE ESTATE PLANS AND NATURAL CAPITAL” WEBINAR

May 1, 2020

Executive Director Rob Hindle presented to over 450 people on Thursday 30th April as part of the Transforming for the Future of Land Management webinar series.

INDUSTRY INSIGHT: THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATING IN A CRISIS – A GUEST BLOG FROM JANE CRAIGIE MARKETING

April 28, 2020

In these challenging times, we recognise the importance of maintaining a consistent presence to clients and within the rural community, adapting and responding appropriately through marketing channels to reinforce brand and even use this opportunity to amplify profiles online. We have, therefore, invited our PR and marketing agency, Jane Craigie Marketing, to provide some valuable advice for our clients to consider while we are in lockdown.

PLANNING NEWS: PARAGRAPH 79E PROJECT, THE AUTARKIC HOUSE IS SHORTLISTED AT THE PLANNING AWARDS

April 28, 2020

The Autarkic House – Europe’s first off-grid solar-hydrogen powered home has been shortlisted at the Planning Awards for use of technology, with the winners to be announced in September.

ADVISORY NEWS: TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF LAND MANAGEMENT AND GETTING READY FOR ELMS WITH WHOLE ESTATE PLANNING

April 28, 2020

Executive Director Rob Hindle is taking part in a webinar series, hosted by The Land App and The Duchy of Cornwall on Thursday, 30th April, setting out how landowners can best prepare for the new approach from Government to pay for environmental outcomes as public goods through the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS).

INDUSTRY COMMENT: TOP THREE REASONS TO CELEBRATE WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE BY ROB HINDLE

April 23, 2020

People and businesses across the countryside are working flat out to keep the nation fed, to protect jobs, and support their communities. Both personally, and as a rural consultant, I appreciate and applaud their sustained efforts at this incredibly difficult time.

STAYING STRONG TOGETHER FOR A BRIGHTER RURAL FUTURE

April 23, 2020

Here is our recent message to the rural community via Country Life Magazine.

IN THE NEWS: THE COUNTRY TRUST LAUNCH ‘THANK YOU FARMERS’ CAMPAIGN

April 23, 2020

Our charity partner, the Country Trust are a small but dynamic, national education charity dedicated to bringing the working countryside to life for the children least able to access it in their everyday lives.

PLANNING NEWS: PARA 79 SUCCESS AT APPEAL FOR HOME IN COTSWOLDS AONB

April 17, 2020

We are delighted to have secured planning consent at appeal for a new country house in the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

PLANNING COVID-19 UPDATE: ‘VIRTUAL’ PLANNING COMMITTEES COMING YOUR WAY VERY SOON

April 9, 2020

In my last communication on COVID-19 and its implications for Planning services (10-point action plan for National and Local Government), I referenced the emerging Coronavirus Bill. The Bill is now an Act and one of its outcomes is to empower the Secretary of State to make regulations to facilitate virtual committee meetings and council decision making.

RURAL SOLUTIONS CLIENT SERVICE NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19: UPDATE

March 27, 2020

Following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and further to Government advice, we believe it’s critical to do our part to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Our priority at this time is to help safeguard the health and safety of our clients, contacts and team, whilst also ensuring that we can continue to provide you with the best possible service. Here, are some of the steps we are taking to protect everyone in this ever-evolving situation:

PLANNING NEWS: AN OPEN LETTER TO MINISTRY OF COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK

March 27, 2020

Rural Solutions proposes 10 point plan to Ministry of Communities and Local Government during COVID-19 outbreak offering guidance to improve services now and in the aftermath.

ECOLOGY UPDATE: DON’T MISS ECOLOGY SEASON

March 25, 2020

Given all that is going on currently, it is unsurprising that clients are concerned about their projects being adversely affected and unfortunately, one major delay that could occur, at the moment, if not addressed, relates to ecology surveys.

PLANNING NEWS: CONSENT ACHIEVED FOR THREE RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS IN NIDDERDALE AONB VIA ‘PERMISSION IN PRINCIPLE’ PROCESS

March 25, 2020

Rural Solutions has secured planning consent for a small residential site in Nidderdale AONB.

The site is for the construction of three houses and is thought to be the first granted full consent by Harrogate Borough Council using the ‘permission in principle’ process, introduced by the Government for certain categories of development including small residential sites in 2018. The quicker process allows for land to be granted ‘permission in principle’ without going through the full planning application process, making it easier and a more attractive possibility to deliver small areas of land that can contribute to the housing land supply plan.

PLANNING INSIGHT: ONSHORE WIND BACK ON THE AGENDA?

March 25, 2020

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.

PLANNING UPDATE: SUMMARY OF PLANNING POLICY CHANGES AND UPDATES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS

March 20, 2020

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.

A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN THE BURGEONING RURAL WELLNESS MARKET

March 20, 2020

A new health and wellness spa development in the Hampshire countryside is looking for an investor to realise its potential. Set in former dairy buildings on a 1500-acre farm in the affluent area surrounding Greywell, the proposed members’ club has full approval for a range of facilities including indoor and outdoor pools, fitness studios, vitality bar and co-working space. Surrounded by beautiful open countryside, close to a network of running and cycle paths and transport links, the site is well placed to capitalise on the growing demand for wellbeing tourism. The owners, Frank Butler Farms Ltd, are seeking investors or co-investors to build and run the facility.