Rural housing for rural people.

More help for farmers for development.

Village help and support for small shops.

Transport in the evenings to and from villages.

The heart of our countryside is our farming people, so lets promote them.

Investment

Real sense of community in rural areas  - people helping each other and accepting all social groupings.

Affordable housing to enable future generations of families to live in the same area that their predecessors did.

Sustainable communities that have their own facilities available, good use of multi-use buildings, mobile facilities and internet access / IT solutions. Use of local facilities and local produce.  Access to services and provision for all groups of people.

Communities  / individuals that invest in and are proud of the area in which they live

Inclusive

Landscape maintained, sustainable and eco-friendly techniques used in agriculture / farming

Better weather!

Viable family farms; managed rural countryside

Greater communication to ‘joe public’ as to how farmers achieve this.

Fewer caravans in the rural areas

Increased rail network connections

More public conveniences in good condition

Continuous coastal footpath

Sustainable business for local employees

Greater participation / involvement by ethnic communities

Easy access for disabled people

Sunshine/ flowers / animals/ vibrant colours

Clean and tidy

Community spirit with a future

Sensible planning rules / regulations

Mel Towler

Regional Food Group

Yorkshire and Humber

Local Autonomy - we know best

Farming: Don’t turn barns into holiday homes, use to grow food i.e. mushrooms; give grants to encourage new crops / animals, wild boars on moors etc, allowing for climate change vineyards

Fund renewable energy in all forms e.g. wave power

Only allow purchase of village houses to local community if new sale

Broadband connection everywhere

Peripatetic services such as health

Transport - improve all public transport and community transport

Mobile education schemes for country skills i.e. drystone walling, training in all new and old skills required for sustainability

Shirley Heselton

Massive reduction in CO2 emissions

Community-owned renewable energy much more prevalent. Devolved power generation too.

Economy and employment boosted by green enterprises (including as above)

Local food - grown and produced and consumed locally. Growth of community - supported agriculture. Organic food increases.

A mix of affordable housing to meet local needs in perpetuity including provided by local community land trusts

Overall, more viable, more self-sufficient local communities

Reduced use of fossil fuels for transportation including personal transport. Greater take-up of electric cycles. Horses to provide transport and other services rather than fossil-fuelled transport.

Fundamental take-up of transition movement and spread of same.

Vibrant communities which retain young people.

Dave Thomlinson

Light Foot Enterprises

1) A viable farming sector being able to utilise redundant farm buildings for new vibrant businesses

2) Planning to use common sense to allow such involvement for the good of, the future employment and long term sustainability of rural areas

3) Affordable housing to be an integral and proud part of village life not seen as dumping grounds for problem urban families or individuals

4) Parking to be thought of as an attraction rather than a deterrent to visitors of market towns

5) Too often parking is seen as a council cash cow without looking at the long term benefits of attracting visitors in.

6) More forward thinking facilities for young people to keep them interested in local towns rather than spending money on ‘iconic’ structures that have not been widely asked for by local people.

7) Bill Langhamer

My vision for rural Britain in 2020 – and beyond

Self sustaining local communities where people can afford to live and work, while maintaining the essential features of the countryside for farming, recreational and other activities. These communities should be based on collaboration and partnership, using emerging technologies where appropriate and utilising the expertise of all local people so that we all feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment in which they live.

Alan Healey

ruralnet|uk Trustee

1) Sustainable & vibrant farming community

2) Viable village schools

3) Regular & affordable public transport, so people can afford to use public transport and they are at times when people need them

4) Protected landscapes to be enjoyed by all

5) Affordable housing for young local people

6) Well paid jobs with good career prospects

7) Easily accessible health care – local hospitals & health centres

Redundant buildings transformed to house businesses such as those using modern technologies and the development of the internet

9) Protect the heritage of market towns and villages so people can relate to the history of the area where they live, work and visit

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

A rebalanced community achieved by encouraging the young to remain and bring up their families in the area and maintain local primary and secondary schools and create job opportunities. Similar landscape to Yorkshire Dales in Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) gateway to Shropshire Hills

Farming must remain profitable in its own right for landscape to be maintained

To do this we need to be out of Europe and invest what we give to Europe in our society to give a fair return to everyone and create opportunities for all especially rural areas. Rural landscapes are our heritage, its essential to pass them on to the next and future generations, it has taken centuries for them to evolve do not destroy them by bad planning decisions. Green Belt, National Parks and AONBs should be involved in rural planning decisions

J A Gibson

Shropshire County Council & Church Stretton Market Town Partnership