Rural Development

Planning rules relaxed as Government announces long-term housing plan

A row has erupted following Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge to allow houses to be built on the green belt.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer today set out his stall to win the rural vote, declaring that ‘food security is national security’.

The Welsh Government has issued a series of amendments to the Agriculture (Wales) Bill saying that the changes will further support sustainable food production while helping rural communities to thrive.

Rural communities are celebrating after the Government backed down on a series of planning issues that countryside groups claim would have a catastrophic effect on rural areas.

The Government is being urged to consider introducing a relaxed visa system that would see migrants placed in rural communities for a minimum of five years to combat depopulation and the growing skills shortage.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party Sir Ed Davey has called on the Government to appoint a cross-departmental minister to address the needs of rural communities.

More than a third of farmers say diversification is the only way to boost their income, a new survey has revealed.

The Government has pledged more than £100m to help level up rural communities and businesses, it has been announced.

Rural communities are once again being targeted as cuts in everything from nursery places to bus services ramp up.