I was born in rural North Norfolk 72 years ago and despite the war years enjoyed a wonderful, free childhood. Based on my lifelong experiences I would like to make the following comments in no particular order of importance.

1)    Maintain and encourage agriculture in such a way that it is productive of healthy food and is environmentally friendly.

2)    Taking my first comment into account give strong support to improving the habitats to our indigenous fauna and flora.  Neglect of that which is now common may result in it becoming endangered.

3)    Make it possible for the native country folk to live and work in the area  in which they were born.

4)    Support tourism and leisure activities in such a way that they are not harmful to the aims of any of my other comments.

5)    Encourage green energy programmes and don’t tolerate NIMBYism.

6)    Currently Central Government refuses to assist coastal District and Borough Councils from being able to execise controls over personal water craft(PWC) owners (jetskiers).  When I was a District Councillor for North Norfolk I worked for 8 years to try to introduce such measures.  Because of my insistence a working party was formed of which I was chairman.  The efforts of this working party were nobly supported by the Council’s Legal Department and the Coastal Issues Forum of which I was also Chairman for 4 years.  However, despite our efforts, none of the suggestions for bylaws, regulations etc that we submitted to Central Government were ever accepted.

The result of this, of course, is that a small percentage of jetskiers feel that they can “ play peacock” and “exhibit” their skills on bathing beaches, in waters near bird reserves and so on with a total disregard for people’s or wildlife’s need for a lack of disturbance.  I know that this issue caused great concern for the Warden at Blakeney Point National Trust Reserve that is home to one of the UK’s most important Tern nesting areas.  Funnily enough, in today’s Eastern Daily Press there is a report that the District Council only yesterday debated on how they were going to deal with the latest problems concerning this issue that has been brought to their attention by the frustrated public.

Simon, if Rural Britain:  a 2020 vision, could resolve that little problem, preferably before 2020, many people from many walks of life would be most grateful.

I congratulate you on your efforts so far.  May there be strength to the collective arm!

Dan Corbett

A place that has equal advantages to urban communities with sustainable opportunities for development of the community giving sufficient and appropriate access to housing, jobs and public transport. Providing opportunities for young people to acquire a wide range of skills and knowledge to enable them to have a future in the community and for others to return to it.

Richard Fowler

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

Rural Britain in 2020 will be a place in which to live, that is sustainable and economically viable. It will be a place to visit, to share in the economy and enjoy the relative peace and beauty. It will provide a range of housing to suit all pockets. Above all it will retain what is best about the area and change only what is necessary. The local community will exercise real democracy.

Keith Smith

IN

• No tax on green profits
• No interest on green grants / loans
• Real Micro power
• Marketing in government
• Pay people to plant trees
• Electric buses on micro roads
• Circles
• Perfect links
• Homes
• Monthly community meetings
• History

OUT

• Green fascists
• No subsidy for green projects (especially continuous)
• Macro management
• Manipulation in government (spin)
• People who chop down trees
• Conventional power
• Flow based systems
• Manufactured links
• Assets
• Rush / panic / demand
• Rubbish innovation

David Morgan

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

Community Led Planning

Access to ICT

+ the Internet

Affordable Homes

Community Enterprise

Environmental Sustainability

Locally Determined Priorities

Community Partnership

Access to Education / Skills

Development

Jeff Tweddle

Northumberland Rural Voices Network

• A place where we can all feel comfortable and peaceful
• Where there are affordable homes to live and where there is easy access to work and services
• A place where all communities and villages are highly connectible - either through technology or by highly attractive transport and communication links
• Rural Britain will be, environmentally, at the forefront of sustainable, clean and pollution-free technology
• And there will always be open spaces and countryside

David Heathcote

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.

Respect for country life; keep speed limits down, keep deaths down - people and animals

Let country issues be decided by country people (country based) rather than ‘townies’ from Westminster

Development of Market Towns to encourage local people to ‘live local, buy local’. Encouragement of high streets having mainly shops not a lot of estate agents, solicitors etc taking over the larger premises. A town plan on the type of shopping on offer - not multiples but small, individual businesses which can add character to the town.

Good transport links including via the villages and direct to the town; also free parking to encourage trade with easy access for disabled.

Ample facilities for young people

Development and implementation of renewable energy schemes.

Development of shared space, ideas to reduce spped and accidents - increasing people’s consideration for other road users / shared space users

Affordable housing to encourage the young to stay; and jobs

A willingness to contribute time and skills to local projects

Jane Barber