News

The Land Use Framework explained

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra), has launched what they hope will be a ‘national conversation’ about land use, through a Land Use Consultation running until the end of April 2025.

Planning and Infrastructure Bill - Nature Restoration Fund and Compulsory Purchase

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduced by the Government in March 2025 includes a series of actions to ‘get Britain building again and deliver economic growth’.

How can natural capital markets benefit farmers and landowners

ffinlo Costain, Chief Editor at 8point9.com on how natural capital opportunities might be stacked alongside other land uses for farmers and other landowners.

Estate-led development: influencing local policy

Rural estates are complex entities balancing custodianship of environmental and heritage assets with multiple roles as providers and producers of homes, jobs, community amenities, food, forestry, habitats, access, and more.

Redefining possibilities - a landmark development for a national organisation

British Naturism came to Rural Solutions with a vibrant and positive aspiration for the redevelopment of its Sunfolk site, which is nestled within a five-acre woodland in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

The grey belt – opportunity for rural landowners, or just a grey area?

The Government’s focus on unlocking development land to address the housing crisis has led to the introduction of a new planning concept – grey belt land. Lisa Allison, an Associate Director in the Planning team, explains.

Unlocking rural development - Webinar on planning and policy changes

Our latest webinar saw our team of experts discuss the evolving outlook for the rural sector, and the policy changes reshaping rural land development and investment.

Glynde Whole Estate Plan – a foundation for the future

In September 2024, the Glynde Whole Estate Plan was formally endorsed by South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). Rural Solutions worked closely with the owners and management team at Glynde to develop a long-term strategy to enable a sustainable future for the estate.

A New National Planning Policy Framework

Don’t miss the wood for the (Christmas) trees as sweeping planning changes are announced. James Ellis, Director of Planning at Rural Solutions provides an insight into the opportunities ahead for the rural sector.

Reflections on a taxing budget for farmers and landowners

Rarely, if ever, has the Autumn Budget received so much attention from the farming press and rural commentators, in what has certainly been a vocal and at times bad-tempered airing of views in the last couple of weeks.

Bringing country living to life

A glimpse into the philosophy that guides our approach to Individual Country Homes. A home in the countryside is an aspiration for many. Creating a unique space that makes the most of the setting and its wider landscape is what makes rural living so appealing.

Countryside conundrum: navigating the rural housing crisis

Rural housing faces many challenges from lack of affordability to community resistance and planning constraints, but there are reasons to be optimistic.