Rural Areas
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Background
Agriculture is still the main economic activity in rural areas but
it employs few people and is experiencing continual change in terms
of economic regulation and market globalisation. Our rural areas are
all close to urban populations. The draft Regional Spatial Strategy
recognises the need to diversify economies, protect the countryside,
and provide affordable housing and access to local employment and
other services.
Rural economy
Traditional agriculture is being partly replaced by horticulture and
‘horsiculture’. Organic farming and local sourcing of produce offer
the area’s farmers some prospects for a better future, and global
impacts such as increases in international distribution costs may
also have an impact. Rural recreation and tourism creates income in
rural areas but catering for that demand in ways that do not spoil
the countryside is a challenge.
What do you think are the issues facing our rural areas, and how
might we tackle them?
Affordable housing and local services
Many people living in rural areas do not work there and commute to
work elsewhere. This causes transport problems and can raise house
prices beyond what rural workers can afford. Affluent commuters who
move into rural areas are also less dependent on local services, so
use of these can fall, leading to closures.
How can we address the issue of affordable housing and supporting
local services in the rural parts of the Central Lancashire City
area?
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