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| Rural living problems 'ignored' | Rural living problems 'ignored' |
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| Little has been done to address rural problems in England which have been highlighted for years, says a report. | Little has been done to address rural problems in England which have been highlighted for years, says a report. |
| The Rural Services Network, made up of service providers such as local councils, says problems include lack of affordable homes and public transport. | The Rural Services Network, made up of service providers such as local councils, says problems include lack of affordable homes and public transport. |
| Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. | Many rural communities are therefore unable to deliver a safe, prosperous and healthy quality of life, it says. |
| Another report says almost one million rural households in England have an income below the official poverty line. | Another report says almost one million rural households in England have an income below the official poverty line. |
| Planning problems | Planning problems |
| The Rural Services Network says although there has been much talk in recent years of "rural proofing" services - a commitment by the government to ensure policies take account of rural needs - all too often rural policies are tacked on as an afterthought. | The Rural Services Network says although there has been much talk in recent years of "rural proofing" services - a commitment by the government to ensure policies take account of rural needs - all too often rural policies are tacked on as an afterthought. |
| The report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing. | The report pointed to the example of the planning system, which it said often discriminated against rural communities trying to build low-cost housing. |
| A significant number of rural people are unable to share in [a] high quality of life Stuart Burgess,Commission for Rural Communities href="/1/hi/uk/7274216.stm">Problems with rural Britain | |
| It said local planners were restricted by centrally-imposed principles, such the amount of development that must be built on brownfield land or the need for access to public transport. | It said local planners were restricted by centrally-imposed principles, such the amount of development that must be built on brownfield land or the need for access to public transport. |
| Many of the problems highlighted in the report are not new, but the network's concern is that not enough is being done about them. | Many of the problems highlighted in the report are not new, but the network's concern is that not enough is being done about them. |
| Meanwhile, a report for England from the government's rural advocate, Commission for Rural Communities chairman Stuart Burgess, found that many rural households were below the official poverty line of £16,492 a year. | Meanwhile, a report for England from the government's rural advocate, Commission for Rural Communities chairman Stuart Burgess, found that many rural households were below the official poverty line of £16,492 a year. |
| Dr Burgess said: "Many people who live and work in rural England can enjoy a relatively healthy and prosperous lifestyle. | Dr Burgess said: "Many people who live and work in rural England can enjoy a relatively healthy and prosperous lifestyle. |
| "However, the picture is not so rosy for all. | "However, the picture is not so rosy for all. |
| "A significant number of rural people are unable to share in this high quality of life, with over 928,000 rural households with incomes below the official poverty threshold." | "A significant number of rural people are unable to share in this high quality of life, with over 928,000 rural households with incomes below the official poverty threshold." |
| Affordable homes | Affordable homes |
| Dr Burgess said the priorities were providing more affordable housing, strengthening the economy of rural areas, and supporting voluntary and community work. | Dr Burgess said the priorities were providing more affordable housing, strengthening the economy of rural areas, and supporting voluntary and community work. |
| One of Dr Burgess's recommendations is to promote community land trusts, which ensure properties are affordable for rural workers and do not become second homes. | One of Dr Burgess's recommendations is to promote community land trusts, which ensure properties are affordable for rural workers and do not become second homes. |
| He told BBC News: "No government, whichever colour of the day, is going to interfere dramatically into the market economy. But what we can do is mitigate the problem." | He told BBC News: "No government, whichever colour of the day, is going to interfere dramatically into the market economy. But what we can do is mitigate the problem." |
| READ THE REPORT Tackling Rural Disadvantage [3.0MB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| One rural worker, Cumbrian slate miner Ben Bland, told the BBC that people from outside rural communities buying up properties was a problem. | |
| He said: "Most of the cottages and houses were built by the miners that worked here in the past, and built for them to live in. | |
| "It's just a pity they are being sold on to outside buyers now, and they're only lived in for six months of the year." | |
| Tim Bonner, of campaign group the Countryside Alliance, said the government was not listening to the views of people living in the countryside. | Tim Bonner, of campaign group the Countryside Alliance, said the government was not listening to the views of people living in the countryside. |
| "We're seeing school closures in some rural areas at the moment, and petrol prices and diesel prices can have a really serious impact on people living in marginal rural areas where they have to travel long distances just to get basic services," he said. | "We're seeing school closures in some rural areas at the moment, and petrol prices and diesel prices can have a really serious impact on people living in marginal rural areas where they have to travel long distances just to get basic services," he said. |
| "And of the course the post office closures which are going on as we speak all over the countryside are having a huge impact on people, and often their ability to access crucial services." | "And of the course the post office closures which are going on as we speak all over the countryside are having a huge impact on people, and often their ability to access crucial services." |
| Do you live in a rural area? Have you been affected by the issues raised in the story? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Do you live in a rural area? Have you been affected by the issues raised in the story? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |