• A place to live, work and play for all ages
• A public transport service that equals provision in urban areas
• A place where services and amenities are valued and where they are not under constant threat of closure
• Investing in our heritage for future prosperity
• Space to breathe

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

Market Towns

More jobs for people - less commuting

Greater range of jobs with new technologies coming into play. Develop enterprising approaches. Better involvement of business people in schools so young people can get a feel for opportunities for careers in their towns.

More activities and better awareness of existing activities to build social and community cohesion.

Build on distinctiveness - each town is different - work on developing strengths through environment and heritage  as well as social and community activity and action.

Develop a belief in quality - do the best at whatever you do; but do it differently if you can.

‘Exploit’ local assets - make what you have work for you. This could include environmental heritage or social assets. Consider new ways of using them. Do it well, do it differently, make it last - but do something rather than resting on your laurels

Mark Firth

In no particular order:

1. Green public transport for outlying rural areas

2. Developed, local produce bartering systems

3. Sustainable rural housing which is affordable and of low visual impact but innovative, exploiting off-grid,  renewable / sustainable energy, waste and local produce systems.

4. Halt destruction of local heritage features including those less visible e.g. prehistoric burial mounds and archaeological sites (under plough).

5. Better understanding and interpretation of heritage assets including the archaeological

6. Local hubs e.g. market towns with developed partnership working and vibrancy which makes all population sectors feel included e.g. teens, elderly and families with few family ties.

7. Better developed arts partnerships / activities

8. Eased planning restrictions on home working

Judy Bell

Lindsey Action Zone

Welcoming, open to change that is sensitive to local needs. Enterprising culture where money is circulated within the local community, whilst seizing opportunities of a global market place. Celebrating local distinctiveness. Building on heritage, whilst developing contemporary culture and economy. Communities where people want to and are able to live, work, invest and visit. Housing that is affordable in perpetuity. Clear links between producers and manufacturers and their consumers to realise maximum benefit for both. Communities that are balanced in composition and where all sectors are valued and have opportunities to help determine the future of their place.

• Certain things need protecting and enhancing
• Built heritage - protect individual identity
• Natural Heritage - protect bio-diversity
• Cultural heritage - protect tradition links with our past

• There needs to be more technological development of carbon neutral buildings that use less energy and more sustainable sources of energy for their construction, heating and running

• More sustainable forms of transport need to be encouraged to get people away from their dependency on cars. Transport needs to become more fuel efficient.

• The countryside will continue to serve a dual role for both producing food and as a recreational asset for people’s leisure time activities
• Thought needs to be given to how we sustain an aging population in rural areas

Colin Grant

Richmond North Yorkshire

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

Less traffic and more rural opportunities.

Being able to work from home.

Safe, friendly and enterprising communities

People working in partnership

Sharing of all types of resources e.g. food, people skills, time, transport, energy,

recreation, caring

Vibrant and economically viable shops, pubs and services working in harmony to deliver what people want and need.

The retention of local stories, ‘yarning’, history and information being shared and passed down, old and young for future generations.

Local customs, a sense of belonging and not a sense of loss.

Charlotte Foster

Plunkett Foundation

Accessible transport network, with public services that meet demand, strong community spirit

Vibrant cultural attractions, creativity

No rural poverty, isolation of elderly

Modern facilities, good shops

Protected landscape, wildlife

Activities for young people

Key service provision, IT broadband options

Higher wages, improved GVA

Affordable homes for local people

Attractive towns, maintain heritage

Good health services

E Sudlow

A balanced mix of housing, support and general services, quality education and business units providing a range of quality businesses and therefore jobs

Opportunities for young people to remain or return to live and work in rural areas, through provision of above

A range of working opportunities e.g. live/work units, home working policies within businesses

Fully covered technological infrastructure to all rural areas no matter how remote

Development opportunities which are sensitive to the existing rural landscape to allow much of the above to happen

Renewable energy infrastructure that complements the environment & protects the landscape/environment

Enhance the cultural heritage of the rural areas & link to providing a prosperous tourism industry.