Keynote Conference
“We lack a compelling view of the future of our countryside”
Wednesday 22nd September 2010, 9.15am – 4.00pm
Yarnfield Conference Centre, nr Stone, Staffordshire
What is the conference about?
To identify and challenge key issues facing Staffordshire in the context of the planning system; define the role of the Rural Forum; lead and support key actions to address those issues. We will be asking conference delegates to put forward case studies that we can take back to the government’s Land Use Futures Team. The report can be found at: www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/.../LandUse/lufoutputs.asp
Conference Programme
9:15 Arrivals and refreshments
9.45 Making the most of land in the 21st century; a planning system for the 21st Century.
The Land Use Futures Report 2010: Nicola O’Connor, Project Leader, Foresight
Foresight reports directly to the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Cabinet Office. It is a part of the Government Office for Science within Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Its role is to help government think systematically about the future, using latest scientific and other evidence combined with futures analysis to tackle complex issues and help policymakers make decisions affecting our future.
Its Land Use Futures report published in February argues that the systems and mechanisms that guide land use change in the future will need to reflect new priorities, trends in patterns of use and changing concepts of how land creates value. The authors argue that government needs to overhaul our land use planning system; to make critical choices on our priorities for land use, how to accommodate more development while protecting landscapes. The effects of climate change and new pressures on land could escalate, seriously eroding the quality of rural life. Most new housing has been built within existing settlements or in small rural developments and more crop and grazing land has been turned over to woodland in the last 25 years than into housing. The processes of governance, divided between various agents and strategies, sitting alongside local authority planning mechanisms, are complicated and have created uncertainty, not least for land managers. Will life be easier after the bonfire of the quangos?
The LUF team has invited Staffordshire to join the debate and contribute to the evidence base for practical solutions.
10.45 Land Use Priorities - Critical Choices. The Rural Coalition Viewpoint
Trevor Cherrett - Expert Advisor, Commission for Rural Communities
"For 50 years or more, policy has undervalued the countryside, failed to meet the needs of rural communities and therefore of the nation. Rural communities have slowly but relentlessly become less and less sustainable and less and less self-sufficient. On its current course, with no change of policy and no commitment to action, much of the countryside is becoming part dormitory, part theme park and part retirement home. Only if people in rural communities have ready access to local schools, local jobs, local shops and pubs and homes will they and their children thrive, and will the nation meet its environmental and economic needs." The Rural Coalition comprises six national organisations representing councils, rural businesses, landowners, environmental campaigners, planners and rural communities: ACRE, CPRE, Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Local Government Association (LGA), Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI); and the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA).
11.15 Coffee and networking
11.45 Opportunities in the Rural Area: Renewable Energy and Minerals
Andrea Bruce – Partner, Knights LLP, Newcastle under Lyme
Rob Pattinson – Consultant, Knights LLP
The new carbon economy; including alternative energy generation –
the role which the countryside can fulfil.
Mineral extraction: the challenges and issues facing Staffordshire.
12.30 Summary and discussion
1.00 Lunch and market place
2.00 Sacred Cow or Sacrificial Lamb? Should the Green Belt Go?
Richard King, Strategic Director Democratic, Development and Legal
Services Lichfield District Council
Is it true that green belt was formulated with a best intention, but its contemporary damaging effect is to create pressures that bring about a complete loss of urban open space and an increasing urban density? That the quality of urban life is diminished in protection of landscapes that may have no particular merit, are likely to have industrial histories in previous centuries, but can attract SLA designations; and so in many ways failing to support the communities that they surround. How do we make things happen?
CASE STUDIES will include: Whitemoor Lakes Centre, Alrewas; and National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, both approved by Lichfield Council in the Rural Area.
2. 45 Embedding Design Quality – how much does design matter?
Justin Stevenson, Associate, Balfours, Chartered Surveyors, Shrewsbury
Karine Swanson, MRTPI, Head of Department, Balfours
Is design more important than Green Belt? CABE in its survey this year of new housing, found only 17% of homes qualified as “good”. The rest were poor or average and Richard Simmons, CABE’s Chief Executive, described most new homes as “not very nice places to be”. The speakers will look at –
New housing
Redundant Buildings
The new Heritage legislation and its likely impact
CASE STUDY: Sugnall Estate, Eccleshall.
3.30 Panel and discussion
4.0 Depart
Background information
Land Use Futures Report - the full report and abstracts can be found at:
www.foresight.gov.uk/OurWork/.../LandUse/lufoutputs.asp
Conference series information
It is our intention that the key issues and actions identified from this conference will be used to set a Rural Forum seminar and conference programme for 2011. The 2011 programme will include study visits/field days and seminars to examine those issues at a local level throughout the county.
Booking information
Ticket price: £60.00 inclusive. Staffordshire Rural Hub is not VATable.
Stands: £60.00 (No additional charge to Rural Forum members attending the conference)
Cheques payable to: Staffordshire Rural Hub
A/D: Staffordshire Rural Hub, County Showground, Stafford, ST18 0BD.
Applications accepted until Friday 17th September.
Enquiries:
01785 255305 Debbie Nicholson (hub office);
debbie@staffordshireruralhub.org
01785 277345 Hannah Chadwick (Staffordshire County Council);
hannah.chadwick@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire Rural Forum is indebted to Knights Solicitors and Balfours Chartered Surveyors for their sponsorship of this conference and participation in the day.
Knights Solicitors
Knights Real Estate Department deals in:
• asset management
• development
• environment
• minerals & waste
• residential
• social housing
Knights lawyers also deal in tax, trusts, corporate and commercial law; employment law; construction; planning; farming and rural; landed estates; leisure, entertainment and sport.
http://www.knightsllp.co.uk/ourServices.asp
Balfours Chartered Surveyors
Balfours Chartered Surveyors are Midlands based Property Professionals, Balfours has maintained steady and consistent growth. The firm has merged recently with Herefordshire based surveyors Berringtons, increasing the depth of knowledge and experience within the company through the West Midlands. Areas of expertise include:
• Commercial property
• Building Design and Project Management
• Planning and Development
• Farm Business Development and Diversification
• Valuations and insurance
• Environmental Assessment and Consultancy
http://www.balfours.co.uk
Downloads
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