Economically sustainable Market Towns brought about by communities working with their local authorities, government agencies and other partners, to identify where improvements and opportunities can be made and built on.

It should be a place where people can both work, live , visit and invest. A place that can offer jobs, affordable housing for those that work there and wish to live there. A place where the community can shop, without having to travel miles, with good local services. It should build on its heritage and its uniqueness which will hopefully encourage visitors and therefore lead to spending in the town.

It should also be a place where people are proud to live, a place with real community spirit and with a sense of belonging. It will be a diverse community, not just a place for rich commuters and the retired but a thriving mixed demographic that will continue to be sustainable.

Sarah Chalmers

Population

- a new feeling of being born, brought up, experiencing the personality forming aspects of life

- feeling others understand and value all places and cultures and vice versa

- more diversity of people

Community recognition of what is valued i.e to live and work where these are the things which are valued e.g. retaining housing and places of character. To understand why ways of living and the environment are valued, preserved - not as museums but as recognition of skills.

Local sourcing - of repairs, food etc

A new type of ‘nationalised’ industry - evolved from community businesses.

Community enterprises / buying groups:

• reflecting needs and interests across all ages
• young people brought up to have ownership of support services, newsletters, leisure facilities around them
• people recognise and can develop their skills and learning through community projects which they can use to further careers
• care sector and local communications/ networks delivered by local people on volunteer and paid basis

Facilities and skills shared e.g. school IT, building maintenance people also providing costed service for others

Caroline O’Neill

Rural towns should become places where people can have all their everyday needs met and where the opportunities exist for the young to remain in their communities or return to straight from university.

The opportunities should encompass available housing, well paid jobs and social opportunities and activities. All this should give a diverse social mix which will promote the vibrancy of the community and provide a service and social hub for the more remote hinterland of the settlement. The economy will be strong and be able to withstand problems that may arise thereby improving sustainability and a pride in the local area.

Jacquie Boulton

• Inclusive not exclusive
• Free from discrimination
• Diverse = fairness
• Accessible
• Free from rural racism / discrimination
• Open not closed
• Community empowerment
• Value different people
• Not racist - free from bigots
• Free from hate crime
• Equality
• For everyone not just white
• Economic and social success
• Different but equal
• Freedom = enjoyment for all
• Rainbow
• Race equality impact assessments

Mohammed

• 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

My vision for rural areas is of truly sustainable rural communities that meet the three pillars of sustainability:

social

economic

environmental

They will have a balanced population in terms of age and skill sets. They will be prosperous with a diverse economic base and they will be taking real steps to enhance and protect their environments. This will be done by promoting co-operation and partnerships among rural communities throughout the UK

Ruth Kendal

ADAS UK Ltd

A place where the views of all are encouraged and appreciated, not just the minority who have lived in the towns and villages over the generations, or the wealthy that have moved in.

A place that can expect the same standards of health care, transport services & education as more populated areas.

Places which attract people that are not just from one socio-economic category & with it people with vast range of experience

A place where the countryside is used & enjoyed by all, not just the landowners.

Places that attract people from urban/suburban areas with their shops & services and that play to their unique strengths.

Places that attract the young and old and encourage socialising between the generations.

For me there isn’t a single vision of what a rural community should look like, or how it should work and interrelate with the wide world. It is important that we don’t stereotype or limit our communities but let them keep a diversity of identity.

Not all rural (and market town) Britain is (or should be) similar to Miss Marple’s or Midsummer Murders’ idyllic visions – our rural villages and towns need to be able to adapt to change while at the same time preserving historic buildings and the public realm which is important.

Currently there is much talk about affordable housing, but if all our land is used to build homes for lower wage earners where will our future entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

It is natural that young people with aspirations and dreams wish to experience the wider world and we shouldn’t be frightened by ‘youth flight’, however – and this is the key – it must be possible for them (or older people) to move back into our rural towns so that they can bring their experiences, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship to our communities. Let us not demonise the incomer but ensure that they, together with others, can build a vibrant community.

Helen Pakpahan

1) Environmental challenges will become more intense and market towns will need to be at the forefront of rural responses to carbon reduction, the development of sustainable lifestyles and low impact affordable places to live.

2) This will best be accomplished by empowering communities, informing them of their challenges and opportunities and working with them to develop their own responses. Councils & agencies need to establish the frameworks within which this can happen and then let people get on with it; giving power away will energise rural places.

3) Rural economies have diversified slowly – the pace and range needs to increase. Rural wages still lag behind regional/national averages. Sustainable places depend on diversity in employment opportunity – supported by local networks that improve trading links and skills acquisition

Ian Baker

Advantage West Midlands

Participation in local decision making

Using voluntary, community and faith sector organisations to link businesses with the community.

Mixed diverse communities – balance of age, gender, ethnicity, ability and background

Appreciation of urban areas and not having a ‘superiority’ complex to towns who do have mixed communities!

Thriving businesses who can offer individual services – not the ‘High Street’ offer

Farms providing goods to local businesses and homes, without charging ‘organic, locally produced’ premium.

Services and leisure for young people

Good transport links, but good parking for visitors.

Affordable, fit for purpose housing