Annex A
IMPLICATIONS OF MAJOR GROWTH ON RURAL AREAS
AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENT
— Encroachment- encroachment into the countryside
will occur and proximity of some rural settlements to the main
urban areas will increase. Policies to prevent coalescence and
maintain the separation, character and identity of settlements
should be used to address any negative effects.
— Countryside character- impacts on local
character areas will result and local distinctiveness may be eroded.
Policies and management decisions should ensure that character
is maintained and enhanced. There is potential for significant
environmental enhancement eg restored landscapes and habitat creation
and opportunities to create locally distinctive places.
— Visitor pressure-increased visitor and
recreation pressure on attractive and accessible landscapes is
likely to increase as a result of the additional population. Strategies
to manage and disperse recreational pressures will be required.
— Displaced urban fringe uses—uses
such as equestrian developments, playing fields and utility developments
may need re-siting further into the countryside. Appropriate screening,
access and habitat creation should be addressed from the outset.
— Transport- increased congestion and safety
issues on local roads, urbanising influence of new transport infrastructure
and increased commuting to new employment and facilities in the
growth areas likely to result. Investment may be diverted away
from necessary rural transport improvements. Opportunities should
be sought to increase access of rural dwellers to new services
and facilities by sustainable modes of travel.
— Local communities-social balance may
be affected as professional social groups gravitate to rural settlements,
exacerbating high house prices, young people may move to urban
areas in search of affordable housing and investment may be diverted
away from rural affordable housing. Support for local services
may decline further with the draw of new facilities in expanded
urban areas. Opportunities for greater community involvement in
planning for future development.
— Rural businesses—increased opportunities
with new customers for local businesses and expanded markets for
local produce. Possibility of competition with new urban businesses.
Policies should ensure complementarity between urban and rural
economic development.
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