WIREDGOV

Planning guidance that will boost the rural economy and increase the provision of affordable housing has been launched by Environment Minister, Jane Davidson.

The Minister was at the Royal Welsh Show to launch Technical Advice Note 6 (TAN 6) – Planning for Sustainable Rural Communities.

The guidance will make it easier for businesses to set up in rural areas and should help enterprises already located in the countryside to grow. It relaxes control over development in the countryside whilst still ensuring that a measured approach is taken.

Another benefit of the guidance is that it will make it easier for farmers to build a new home on their land so that they can pass their business on to a younger person, whilst continuing to live on the farm.

The TAN also supports the Assembly Government’s Sustainable Development scheme by encouraging One Planet Developments that have a low environmental impact.

Speaking at the event, the Environment Minister said

“The planning system must respond to the needs of rural communities. It must help ensure that appropriate development takes place at the right place and time, by providing sufficient land for the affordable homes and employment opportunities that our rural communities need.

“The guidance published today looks to do just that. It ensures the right environment to allow rural businesses to invest and grow in order to provide local employment opportunities, increase local prosperity and reduce the need for  travel to work.

“It also supports our existing plans for affordable rural housing by encouraging local authorities and landowners to identify sites for development and adopting a wide ranging approach to delivery of the policy.

” I am delighted that TAN 6 also supports One Planet developments, such as Lammas, that have a low environmental impact and provide an excellent model for how we can live truly sustainable lives in the future”.  

Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, also attended the launch to speak about the benefits that the changes would bring for the farming community.

The Rural Affairs Minister said:

“Retaining young people, and skilled workers, are two of the biggest challenges for rural communities, and the launch of TAN6 will go a long way towards addressing these issues, especially within the farming community.”  

“The farming sector needs to be a viable and attractive option to young, skilled people and this new planning guidance will definitely help in realising this vision.”

The Welsh Assembly Government expects Local Authorities to take the new planning guidance into account immediately.