valerie carter

Rural Vision ConferenceValerie Carter Rural Sector DirectorSouth East England Development Agency [SEEDA]: 

Rural Vision Conference Valerie Carter Rural Sector Director South East England Development Agency [SEEDA]

The Research Study: 

The Research Study ‘Planning for Sustainable Rural Economic Development’ Looked at over 200 potential examples 42 case studies – site visit and telephone Focus on SMEs – more integrated into the local economy

Case Study: Farm RetailDairy Barn Farm ShopTest Valley – Hampshire3 full time: 2 casual part-timeTest Valley ESA: 

Case Study: Farm Retail Dairy Barn Farm Shop Test Valley – Hampshire 3 full time: 2 casual part-time Test Valley ESA Small-holding from 1960’s Rare breed livestock Extensive farming practice Farm shop and butchery opened 1999 Henriette Green Food Lovers Award Rick Stein’s Food Heroes Own beef but sell other farmers sheep and pigs Farmers market not as profitable

Case Study: Processing/agricultural commoditiesAlexander Botanicals and the Hop ShopSevenoaks – Kent 6 full time: 3 part-timeKent Downs AONB: Green Belt: 

Case Study: Processing/agricultural commodities Alexander Botanicals and the Hop Shop Sevenoaks – Kent 6 full time: 3 part-time Kent Downs AONB: Green Belt Mixed family farm Dried flowers Aromatic herbs for oils Gold Awards at Chelsea Marketing co-operative New distillery in 2002 High value – low volume Bluewater

Case Study: Woodland ProductsPenrose Forest Products LtdWealden – East Sussex7 full time: 

Case Study: Woodland Products Penrose Forest Products Ltd Wealden – East Sussex 7 full time Timber business started in 1980’s Dairy Farm Committed to sustainability Better use of English wood Sawmill 1987 – sold New wood-chip business High-grade for surface play areas equestrian arenas, landscape gardens Retail outlets – fencing & garden furniture Loss of skills

Case Study: Equestrian/LiveryShardeloes Farm Equestrian CentreChilterns - Buckinghamshire9 full time: 7 casual part-timeChilterns AONB: Green Belt: 

Case Study: Equestrian/Livery Shardeloes Farm Equestrian Centre Chilterns - Buckinghamshire 9 full time: 7 casual part-time Chilterns AONB: Green Belt Originally arable & livestock farm Managed by contractors Livestock buildings converted Stables – 40 liveries Most customers are local Planning difficulties Affordable housing – wants housing on the site Provides key service for local people Uses local suppliers / local B+B’s etc

Case Study: Research,ICT & OfficesTetronics LtdVale of White Horse - Oxfordshire30 full time - highly qualified: 

Case Study: Research,ICT & Offices Tetronics Ltd Vale of White Horse - Oxfordshire 30 full time - highly qualified Factory site in Faringdon Offices moved to farm site Extremely specialist field Designing plasma arc torch technology for thermal processing Processing heavy metals to render them safe for disposal DTI Smart programme and Smart award Needs to expand business hours

Some conclusions: 

Some conclusions High quality environment is crucial Rapidly declining agriculture but custodians of the landscape Pressured countryside Already very diverse rural economy Strongly linked to urban areas Urgent need to diversify the land based economy Pockets of rural deprivation

Barriers to Success: 

Barriers to Success Narrow margins Legislation and regulations Some aspects of planning clear about what it does not want far less clear about the benefits it wants Attracting the right staff especially the unskilled staff Lack of awareness of sources of training Lack of local customer awareness

Features of Success: 

Features of Success Personal motivation Using the whole family – range of skills Business planning and research Long term thinking Meeting clearly defined market Seeking skills training Co-operative working Good location – near market Good design/ high quality environment

Recommendations: 

Recommendations To promote best practice in sustainable development Co-operative activity and business clusters Business planning Raising awareness of skills training Simplify procedures to access RES Encourage green technologies look at making them less expensive

Recommendations: 

Recommendations Encouraging Green Transport Plans and integrated transport thinking Focussing on good design Promoting sustainabliity thinking amongst rural entrepreneurs Raising awareness amongst consumers

Looking Ahead: 

Looking Ahead Importance of heritage assets built environment landscape Key economic assets to the region Look for new opportunities

Small Rural Towns: 

Small Rural Towns

Improved Businesses: 

Improved Businesses Ensure adequate business support services easily accessible use outreach opportunities affordable businesses working together Co-operative and collaborative ventures Better marketing to local areas

Improved Skills: 

Improved Skills Develop new skills Diversified activities Special needs Food safety Better signposting LSC’s Skills action plans

Slide17: 

Agriculture and horticulture Farming/horticulture for food CAP reforms New crops Livestock revival Diversify activities source of income

Re-use of farm buildings: 

Re-use of farm buildings

Local produce: 

Local produce Future Food & Farming Local produce sector SE Food Group Partnership Local county networks Need for quality Food chain infrastructure Co-operatives/networks Outlets villages/towns London

Slide20: 

Woodlands New Forestry Statement multi purpose woodlands Wood as a resource woodland products Develop new markets Local authorities The regions towns London Centres of excellence

Renewable energy: 

Renewable energy Stimulate demand Networks of producers Supply chain Demonstration projects Opportunities market towns / urban areas SEEDA developments Business awards

Slide22: 

‘Green’ tourism spatial strategy for Tourism rural tourism strategy new Regional Tourism Board identify priorities for action heritage & cultural assets

Slide23: 

Quality accommodation - farm bed and breakfast