Planning the New Rural Economy

1
Planning the New Rural Economy

• Fergus Murray
• Argyll and Bute Council Development Policy
  Manager

2
Introduction

• Presentation is designed to state some of the
  challenges facing Argyll and Butes rural
  economy explore what the planning service is
  trying to do about it.

3
Challenges we face in Argyll and Bute

• Scotlands urban areas are getting their act
  together
• Falling and aging population with a continued
  loss of young, economically active families
• Divided rural communities with very different
  agendas
• Dwindling school rolls continued loss of key
  rural services such as shops, hotels, post
  offices, health care etc
• House costs doubled in 2 years Plot prices also
  doubled/landowners drip feeding the market acute
  shortage of affordable housing in the right
  place Sustained demand for holiday
  accommodation/second homes, especially on our
  scenic coast
• Average household income in Argyll and Bute
  26,000 Average house price 117,000

4
Challenges we face in Argyll and Bute

• Increasingly centralised decision making Multi
  layered bureaucracy Increased legislation pushing
  up costs beyond rural economies of scale
• Globalisation failing traditional industries
  with inadequate pay levels seasonal peaks in
  employment a growing migrant workforce rapidly
  changing policy regimes i.e. CAP reform water
  framework directive
• Inadequate funding for regeneration/economic
  development Crumbling and inadequate
  infrastructure roads leisure water and
  sewerage unable to deal with a growth agenda
• Climate change sea level rise, land erosion
  increased flooding/increased rain intensity
• Insufficient skill base to undertake available
  work very difficult to attract/retain
  skilled staff.

5
Economic Opportunities

• High quality products/marketing
• The use of sustainable design/ local sourcing of
  materials
• Environmental enhancement and pollution control
• Gateway to National Park / Marine National Park
• New technology /home working/ knowledge economy
• Land/crofting reform

• Renewable energy/ waste minimisation /recycling
• Environmental tourism in all its forms
• Forestry diversification /Research Development
• National/Regional Leisure opportunities
  /Lifestyle opportunities
• Transport improvements

6
Planning response in Argyll and Bute

• Structure Plan advocates a sustainable growth
  agenda Seeks a win/win scenario biodiversity
  maintenance precautionary and the polluter
  pays.
• Introduces 8 development control zones
• Advocates Estate/farm diversification plans and
  coastal framework plans
• Advocates sustainable development principles
• Local Plan Introduces Potential Development Areas
  and Areas For Action to target investment help
  take a longer term view ensure a master-planned
  approach that allows flexibility
• Identifies/releases more land, with an emphasis
  on affordable housing and business
  diversification quality counts
• Promotes our key rural towns (Oban Dunoon
  Rothesay Cambeltown Lochgilphead) for
  additional investment through Areas For Action
  and where appropriate comprehensive Action Plans
• Encourages smaller communities to prepare their
  own settlement plans and design statements
• Introduction of a sustainable design guide with
  detailed siting plans prepared for more pressured
  areas
• Introduction of a sustainable checklist for
  significant developments
• Introduction of a series of sustainability
  indicators.