Regulation 19 Rutland Local Plan

Ends on 2 December 2024 (25 days remaining)

The Rural Economy

What will these policies do?

Policy E4 - Rural Economy Comment

Outside Oakham, Uppingham and the larger villages, developments which:

  1. provide opportunities for local rural employment development that supports the vitality of rural settlements;
  2. create or extend rural based tourist attractions, visitor facilities and recreational uses;
  3. encourage the retention and expansion of existing businesses, particularly through the conversion of existing buildings and farm diversification;
  4. encourage the creation of start-ups and scale ups to innovation support and rural diversification;
  5. encourage the creation and expansion of sustainable farming and food production businesses and allow for the adaption of modern agricultural practices;
  6. are considered essential to the wider strategic interest of the economic development of Rutland, as determined by the County Council; or
  7. support the retention and delivery of community services such as shop and public houses and village halls.

will be supported where the development:

  1. meets the Strategic Objectives as set out in Policy SS8 of the Local Plan Spatial Strategy;
  2. supports the rural economy, and could not reasonably be expected to locate within the planned limits of development;
  3. would not undermine the delivery of strategic employment allocations;
  4. is supported by adequate infrastructure;
  5. is consistent in scale with its location and does not adversely affect nearby buildings and the surrounding area or detract from residential amenity;
  6. is well sited and designed in order to conserve and where possible enhance the character and quality of the landscape and built form; and
  7. does not conflict with all other policies of the Local Plan.

Policy E5 - Sustainable farm diversification Comment

Proposals for new rural enterprises within established agricultural holdings will be permitted provided that:

  1. the scheme benefits the economy of the rural area of which it is part;
  2. wherever possible appropriately located existing buildings are re-used;
  3. new and replacement buildings are appropriate in scale, form, impact, character and siting to their rural location;
  4. wherever possible new or replacement buildings should be located within or adjoining an existing group of buildings;
  5. the diversification scheme would not harm the countryside's rural character, landscape, historical landscape features and wildlife by the nature and level of activity (or other effects such as noise or pollution);
  6. the proposal does not generate traffic of a type or amount inappropriate for the rural roads affected by the proposal or require improvements to these roads which would be detrimental to their character. Proposals must set out how the scheme will assist in retaining the viability of the farm and its agricultural enterprise, and how it links with any other short- or long-term business plans for the farm.

Development proposals are expected to aim to meet the highest possible energy efficiency standards.

Why are these policies needed?

Planning has a key role to play in ensuring that the rural economy is viable, meets the needs of existing residents of rural areas and that growth and development is appropriate to the scale of each area and that it has a positive impact upon biodiversity, geodiversity, the landscape and the historic environment.

National Planning Policy supports sustainable growth and expansion of all types of businesses in rural areas, in order to create jobs and prosperity by taking a positive approach to sustainable new development.

The rural economy provides a wide range of important goods and services, including clean water, biodiversity, recreational space and opportunities, food energy and carbon management. Rural land is a vital resource for mitigating and adapting to the various challenges of climate change, such as drought and flooding. The countryside is also home to settlements and communities, where economic activities include agriculture and other farm-based industries, as well as businesses associated with countryside pursuits, including rural tourism and leisure.

The NPPF advises that sites to meet local business and community needs in rural areas may have to be found adjacent to or beyond existing settlements, and in locations that are not well served by public transport. In these circumstances it will be important to ensure that development is sensitive to its surroundings, does not have an unacceptable impact on local roads and exploits any opportunities to make a location more sustainable (for example by improving the scope for access on foot, by cycling or by public transport). The use of previously developed land, and sites that are physically well-related to existing settlements, should be encouraged where suitable opportunities exist.

The Economic Strategy seeks to build a modern rural economy which responds to local businesses, from start-ups and scale ups to innovation support and rural diversification, to reduce rural inequalities, boost entrepreneurialism and innovative business growth. The policies in this local plan need to support this objective by providing the framework against which proposals for new and existing business will be considered. An early action from the Economic Strategy was to review the rural diversification policy to provide support and guidance to those considering diversification.

Traditional rural employment in agriculture, forestry and horticulture has declined over the last few decades and now accounts for less than 1% of employment in the County. It is important that rural economic development is focused on the needs of existing rural businesses and the networks which support them, but also that this rural economic growth does not have a detrimental impact on the countryside which makes Rutland a special place.

The Local Plan seeks to build on the healthy rate of business formations and the number of small firms in the County. Small firms and the highly skilled, knowledge-based businesses, which tend to have a low environmental impact, are likely to be most appropriate for the market towns and larger villages where they can take advantage of existing buildings and previously developed land. Sites identified for general employment development will help to meet the needs of local businesses, business start-up and relocations of businesses.

The Plan generally supports the principle of development which contributes to the rural economy provided it is in the right location and at an appropriate scale and nature. In many cases rural business uses can be the best alternative use for existing buildings in the countryside and villages.

Agricultural development and rural diversification proposals provide important opportunities to support and expand employment opportunities in the County and will

generally be supported.

The policy ensures support for the rural economy outside the main towns.

Supporting Evidence

Rutland's Economic Strategy (May 2023)
Rutland Employment Needs & Economic Development Evidence (2023)

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