Rural Affairs

Chapter 9: Conserving and Enhancing Our Countryside

Tackling Development Pressure in the Countryside: Planning for Rural Areas

Status key:-

Completed - completed
Revised - revised
On track - on track
Redundant - redundant

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
National target that, by 2008, 60% of additional housing to be built on previously developed land or reuse existing buildings 9.2.4 In 2001, 64% of new dwellings were provided on previously developed land and through conversions.  Full details in DTLR Statistical Release LUCS-17
 May 2002

 On track Office of the Deputy Prime Minister -PD1
Good practice guidance issued to local authorities.  
Ongoing monitoring of performance to at least maintain achievement  of target in each year. Through 2001 to 2008
Update planning guidance on the Countryside (PPG7) to take account of the needs of the living, working countryside 9.2.4 Achieved - Clarified PPG7 guidance on farm diversification and best and most versatile agricultural land (see also entry for Chapter 8, 8.4.6, above). March 2001 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD1
We are reviewing PPG7 in line with the proposals in the 2001Planning Green Paper. We shall be issuing a draft of an updated statement of planning policies for rural areas (to replace PPG7) for public consultation. Spring 2003
Issue new transport planning guidance (PPG13) to help strengthen market towns as focus for development 9.2.4 Achieved - PPG13 published

See entry for Chapter 7 (7.2.5), above		 March 2001 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD1
Issue new planning framework to help safeguard recreational open spaces and create new ones 9.2.4 All Achieved - Issued draft revision of planning guidance on Sport, Open Space and Recreation (PPG17) published.
 July 2002
 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD1
Final version of PPG17 published. July 2002
Companion Guide to PPG17 published. Sep 2002
Encourage production of  village design statements for adoption as supplementary planning guidance 9.2.4 See entry under Chapter 12      
Consult on range of options, including impact fees and broadening the range of local improvements, which can be requested under a planning obligation 9.2.4 Achieved Further public consultation document on planning obligations to be published. Autumn  2003 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD1B
Consider responses. Spring 2004
Issue new guidance to discourage further housing development in areas of high flood risk 9.2.5 Achieved - revised PPG25 (Development and Flood Risk) issued on 17 July 2001 July 2001 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD 2D
Water regulators to look closely at sustainable water management 9.2.5 See entry under Chapter 10 (10.3.15), below      

Understanding, evaluating and protecting countryside diversity and character

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Provide good practice advice in respect principally of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land in evaluating agricultural quality, landscape value and biodiversity  9.3.2 and 9.3.4 All Achieved - Contract let for research to inform guidance August 2001 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD1
Ist Phase: research complete, draft report being considered - report to be published on the ODPM web site

COMPLETED		 July 2003
Clarify planning arrangements in respect of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land 9.3.4 Achieved - Amended planning guidance (PPG7) to clarify approach local planning authorities should take towards BMV land.

Action complete		 March 2001 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
Repeal of Minister of Agriculture's powers to intervene in Decisions on BMV land 9.3.4 Powers in relation to unitary and local  development plans were repealed by MAFF (Dissolution) order March 2002 Completed Defra / ARBR
Produce soil strategy for England 9.3.4 Draft strategy for consultation published March 2001 On track Defra- FFSU
Public consultation exercise completed.  Public announcement to be made. Feb 2003 Completed
First Soil Action Plan for England produced, effectively replacing the draft Soil Strategy. Currently with Ministers, awaiting approval for publication. Dec 2003
Publication and early implementation of the Action Plan Spring 2004
Ensure that quarrying of aggregates carries a price tag which encourages use of alternative recycled materials 9.3.5 Achieved - Aggregates Levy (of £1.60 per tonne on sales of primary aggregates), now enacted;came into force on 1 April 2002. April 2002 Completed Defra - WS/ HMT

Defra - WS/ HMT
Following consultation on detailed proposals for the distribution of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund in England, final decisions on distribution were announced on 10 April 2002.

The fund will support work in the three main categories consulted on - minimising the demand for primary aggregates promoting environmentally friendly aggregates extraction and transportation, and reducing the local effects of aggregates extraction.		 April 2002
Issue new planning policy guidance on aggregate supply 9.3.5 Following public consultation that on 4 December 2002, revised guidelines for aggregates provision in England for the period 2001-2016 have been prepared and will be published in early June 2003.  Achieved June 2003 Completed Office of the Deputy Prime Minister/ MWPD
Work is in progress on a consultation draft of Minerals Policy Statement 1, which will set out general minerals planning guidance. The aim is to put that to public consultation in spring 2004. An annex to MPS1 on aggregate minerals (replacing MPG6) should go to public consultation in 2004, subject to review of work plans Spring 2004
Consult on the application of environmental impact assessment procedures to intensive agricultural operations 9.3.6 Consultation completed and regulations made requiring proposed projects to use environmentally significant uncultivated land or semi-natural areas for intensive agricultural purposes to undergo environmental impact assessment. Dec 2001 Completed Defra - SLU
Review of Regulations (delayed until outcome of relevant CAP Reform proposals known, in case this prompts any revision of the regulations). Mid 2004
Continue to support the voluntary sector through grants for projects and core-funding for key partners 9.3.8 In first year (2.2.00-31.1.01) of Local Heritage Initiative (LHI) 125 Projects approved with total grant value of £1.25m. 01/02 On track Countryside Agency
Launch LHI multimedia resource base Dec 02
On average, every project has around 100 active participants and 70% of groups said that they have gained new skills through running a LHI project. Dec 02
The interim LHI website won a National Library for the Blind accessibility award and the main LHI website and online project database is now live.  
An additional 300 projects are planned for 2003/04. 03/04
As at the end of August 2003, a total of 663 LHI grants have been offered with a total value of £8.5m Aug 03
As at the end of November 2003, a total of 719 LHI grants have been offered with a total value of £9.6m. Nov 03
Total number of people who contributed voluntarily to projects estimated at 30,758 Nov 03
At the end of December the total will exceed £10m Dec 03
Some 123 groups have benefited additionally from Nationwide Building Society Awards to enhance the projects or increase participation. Dec 03
The LHI Evaluation report was completed. Dec 03
Successful awareness raising conference held at British Museum. Mar 04
35% of all projects located in areas classified as disadvantaged (e.g. SRB, Objective 1 & 2, Rural Priority Areas, IMD etc.). Mar 04
At April 2004 total amount of grant awarded is £11.7 million. Apr 04
Total grants awards from Feb 2000 to April 04 is 829. Apr 04

Promoting Tranquillity

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Consult on proposals for a National Ambient Noise Strategy 9.4.2 Consultation issued Dec 2001 Completed Defra-AEQ
Published results of the consultation  Dec 2002
Complete noise mapping exercise (for inclusion in National Ambient Noise Strategy) 9.4.2 London Road Traffic Map completed. Scoping studies for rail, air and industry completed and published.

Projects to map other parts of England to be let		 2004 On track Defra-AEQ
60% of trunk road network - including all concrete roads - to have low-noise surfaces 9.4.3 Criteria for prioritising the surfacing of concrete trunk roads with quieter materials announced, together with a list of schemes up to 2004 - 2005.

Programme for resurfacing of concrete roads up to 2010 - 2011 announced (subject to availability of funds).		 October  2001 On track DfT-RP
Existing non-concrete roads to be resurfaced with quieter surfacing when maintenance is justified.  Target to achieve 60% of trunk road network, including all concrete roads, having low-noise surfaces. The Highways Agency has resurfaced some 15 % of the network by May 2004. March 2011
Introduce revised planning guidance to enable LAs to apply suitable low noise limits to new or extended quarries 9.4.3 MPG 11 revised core text on controlling & mitigating the environmental effects of mineral working and noise/ dust annexes published for consultation May 2000. Revised in light of consultation and to conform with the planning reform agenda for limited re-consultation - February 2003. Establish work programme for further annexes during 2003. Revise for publication summer 2004 Summer 2004 Revised Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - PD 2D

Measuring Countryside Quality

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Publish a measure of change in countryside quality 9.5.2 Interim indicator used in 2001 and 2002 State of the Countryside Reports. Apr 01 On track Countryside Agency
Contract for full development of State of the Countryside indicators programme let. Mar 02
Further interim report included in 2003 State of the Countryside Report. May 03
Final full output for State of the Countryside report. Apr 04

Enhancing the Protection of Our Most Valuable Landscapes

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Continue to increase grants to National Parks and ensure grant is distributed equitably among the Parks. 9.6.1 Funding increased to £35.56m for 2003/4, a rise of 8% over 2002/3 which, allowing for introduction of the Sustainable Development Fund for the Parks, was an increase of 18% over 2001/2 2002 Completed Defra-CYD
Designation of  South Downs and New Forest as National Parks 9.6.1 Consultation on New Forest administrative arrangements completed. Sept 01 On track Countryside Agency
New Forest boundary agreed for Designation order. Dec 01 Defra
Designation order submitted to Secretary of State. Jan 02 Defra
New Forest Public Inquiry started Oct 02  
New Forest Public Inquiry completed Apr 03
PINS
Inquiry report provided to Secretary of State Autumn 03
Decision by Secretary of State Spring 04 Defra
Public consultation on proposed South Downs boundary and administrative arrangements completed. Spring 02 Countryside Agency
Formal consultation with local authorities. Summer 02 Countryside Agency
Designation order signed. Dec 02 Countryside Agency
Designation order to Secretary of State Feb 03 Countryside Agency
Public inquiry announced Apr 03 Defra
Public inquiry began Nov 03 PINS
Public Inquiry currently programmed until July 2004 to hear principle and boundary objections. July 04 PINS
Inquiry will also hear objections to the AONB revocation orders and Arundel Variation Order and is now programmed until Oct 04 with a 4week break in August Oct 04 Defra - CYD
Stronger management arrangements for  AONBs (including establishment of Conservation Boards where appropriate) 9.6.1 Countryside Agency published guidelines on production of management plans. Nov 2001 On track Defra-CYD/CA
Countryside Agency produced guidelines on production of AONB Annual Reviews Feb 03 CYC/CA
Conservation Board SoS appointments process to be trialled, tender prepared Complete Countryside Agency
Contributed to draft Cotswolds and Chilterns Establishment Orders during an informal consultation phase led by Defra. May 03
By March 2004, over 85% of AONBs were working under the new 75% funding arrangements. Mar 04
Formal consultation completed in March. Mar 04 Defra
Majority of LAs on course to deliver statutorily required management plans for every AONB. Mar 04
Draft Establishment Orders to be placed before both Houses of Parliament June 04
Establishment day for first 2 Conservation Boards Oct 04 Las
Operational day for the first two Conservation Boards (Chilterns and Cotswolds AONB) Dec 04 Defra - CYD
Further increase funding for AONBs 9.6.1 Funding increased by £1.1m in 2002-03   Completed Defra-CYD
Improve the law on protection of commons 9.6.5 Common Land Policy Statement 2002 issued on 23 July 2002.  This contains outline proposals for future legislation. July  2002 On track Defra-SLU
Stakeholder Working Group established in November 2002 and made recommendations in report on 16 April 2003 on agricultural use and management of common land.  The Government is now consulting on a package of measures, detailing proposals for the agricultural management of common land, based on the recommendations of the working group. Apr 2003

August 2003
The Government will publish a summary of responses and conclusion to the consultation paper in 2004. July  2004
Legislation will be introduced as soon as the Parliamentary timetable allows.  

Woodlands and Forestry

RWP Commitment RWP Ref Achievements/next stages Date Status Lead
Reverse the decline in woodland cover in England 9.7.2 Woodland cover has continued to increase since the publication of the Rural White Paper. Between 1 January 2000 and 30 April 2004 under the ERDP Woodland Grant Scheme 23,480 hectares of new woodland has been approved for planting, of which 17,530 hectares has also been approved under the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme. 30 April 2004 On track FC/ Defra- FFU
195,700 hectares have been brought into management.  
A series of evaluations and reviews have been undertaken of new woodland planting and woodland management under the WGS including:  
Sustaining England's Woodland Review, Oct 2002
Woodland Creation in England Review, Autumn 2003
mid-term Evaluation of ERDP Dec 2003
Encourage increased take up of grant via ERDP funding for Woodland Grant and Farm Woodland Premium Schemes 9.7.4 Please see 9.7.2. above.

Woodland cover is expected to increase by 30,000 hectares over the current ERDP's period of 2000-2006

See also entry under  Chapter 10 (10.1.3), below		 2006 On track FC/ Defra-FFU

Page last modified: 19 May, 2005
Page published: 10 December, 2002

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs