a) Bring more business to rural towns

b) This will create better and more job opportunities

c) Increased salaries will mean more money spent in local shops / industries / businesses

d) Community Land Trust

e) Housing developments should be:

Small

Very well designed

Highest Eco credentials

f) More council housing to RENT only

g) Second home owners should pay 200% council tax

h) BBC Digital reception in:

Bishop’s Castle

South Shropshire

( No known date for future link up)

i) Plastic recycling on doorstep collection as well as paper / cardboard, glass etc

j) Salaries for work at present done freely by the ‘usual’ Town Councillors and voluntary community

k) Persuade locals to USE THEIR shops / farmers’ markets

Miranda Stanley

Bishop’s Castle

Thriving local communities where people from rural areas / market towns can live and work - not just traditional jobs but new sectors.

That rural residents and workers are able to remain in their towns / villages rather than be priced out by weekenders - a balance between new and established residents.

I would like to see more investment by private sector industry / business into local areas rather than bland business parks on the outskirts of towns; more diverse business

Local investment in rural facilities and services.

In a nutshell to preserve and enhance the attributes of rural towns and villages.

Fay Robinson

• Market Towns and villages linked and coordinated by natural geographic, economic and social flows - not district boundaries
• Market Towns and villages working together e.g. local food in local shops / restaurants etc. sharing marketing of tourist assets and developing tourism packages
• Increased awareness of the countryside in towns and cities - needs and  assets
• Recognition of countryside and small attractions - marketing budgets at County and Regional level not just focusing on major towns and assets
• Affordable housing in rural areas
• Remove pay differential in rural areas
• Coordinated links between public / private sector to bring more jobs for young people to rural areas, enabling young people to stay near to roots, families etc
• Increased policing in Market Towns in the evenings
• Improve awareness of rural villages / hamlets in Market Towns
• Improve awareness of rural villages / hamlets in Market Towns
• More awareness of the needs of elderly in the community
• Improve knowledge / access to business development support for farming community and small businesses

Liz Durnell

A land where people feel free to live thier lives:

• create businesses
• form hobby / interest groups
• access education and training
• to be active volunteers
• develop lasting and lively communities
• easy access to urban towns

David Smurthwaite

• people power
• vitality
• sunshine
• celebration of heritage / buildings / customs/ language
• renewable energy for local use - water / wind
• information
• innovative solutions for problems
• local communication
• keep large town / city / county councils out of decision making - local solutions for local problems
• one off housing where needed and wanted - no new estates
• diversity of business
• good public transport and new transport ideas
• money for power saving (not cavity wall insulation when there are no cavities to fill)
• money for all weather tourist attractions
• local services no 50 miles away
• jobs for local graduates to return to their roots
• no pollution

Ann Sandell

Vision

• Having real community spirit
• Parishes linked with local Market Towns, building area sustainability
• Mixed age communities
• Space for embryo businesses in small communities
• Continuity of Government policy - sustained direction, lack of latest idea policy changes
• Local people affording to live in their own community
• Innovative delivery of local services
• Growth in local markets
• Buy local taking higher share of purchases
• Properly planned tourism
• Energy efficient towns and villages
• Support for sustainable energy (microgeneration)
• Activities and space for youth
• Development of local green space
• Local authorities being active partners
• Sensible planned policies taking rural knowledge into account
• Regional Quangos becoming accountable
• Lack of RDA speak to help communities understand

Dan Blake

Market Town retail environment will be:

Self-sustaining. Will provide the goods and services people need without the need to travel outside their own localities.

Will allow both indepenedent and chain businesses to thrive in the same marketplace.

Will preserve and enhance the historic character of the town if relevant

Will allow local producers to sell their wares in an economically viable way

Will allow the natural assets of the town i.e. rivers to enhance the town centre environment

Stephen Lambe

My 2020 Vision

• Community working with local schools and businesses
• Businesses working together for the benefit of the whole community
• Visitors welcomed into the rural community
• Whole community working to protect global as well as local environment
• A sustainable community where a car is unnecessary
• Communities with a pride of place, preserving our heritage but embracing progress
• Encouragement of local businesses so residents can walk to work
• A community that supports and encourages all its members

Sue Mabbutt

Church Stretton

South Shropshire

Adequate public / community transport to all areas. More cycle routes

Thriving local businesses – small business parks in rural areas and facilities to support small businesses

Improved broadband in remote areas

Greater understanding / support for energy generation projects leading to more use of renewable energy

Better use of existing facilities (churches, pubs etc) for wider community use

Local knowledge exchange – community websites

Frances Good

Make the village /market town the HUB with satellite areas including sufficient infrastructure (affordable homes) located on the fringes. Very careful conservation of green spaces would be necessary.

Development of large supermarkets should only be permitted outside of a certain radius from the market towns; this would I hope lead to more support for local businesses as it would require more of an effort and cost to shop there. I would like to see market towns and villages with a more vibrant centre where people congregate, shop and play.

Tim Plamer