BASE HEADER
Do you agree with the approach laid out in Draft Policy Direction-18-Supporting Rural Employment and Diversification?
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 103968
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Mr Stephen Norrie
I especially agree with the support for agricultural diversification and innovation, given the stresses this sector is going to be under due to climate change. There is a strong opinion amongst members of Stratford Climate Action group that the SWLP should consider these issues of future food supply in more detail.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 104283
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Mr Neal Appleton
Diversification should not be taken to mean Part Q conversion of farm buildings into dwellings.
Other
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 104497
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Miss Ann Colley
As long as the re-use of buildings are made 'green'.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 104915
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Stratford-on-Avon Town Council
The policy should also note the importance of effective digital communication networks as infrastructure for people wanting to work remotely from a rural location.
Other
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 107023
Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Ministry of Defence
DTC RESPONSE:
Section 6.7, Policy Direction 18 – Supporting rural employment and diversification
Similar to Policy Direction 12 above, the MOD would like to see this policy support additional development on
existing sites providing employment that are not within the Spatial Growth Priority Areas.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 107039
Derbyniwyd: 21/02/2025
Ymatebydd: Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber of Commerce recognises this as a key policy which contains positive provisions to encourage local growth. As the Chamber has noted much of the
proposed joint plan area comprises rural and semi-rural areas and these have fostered the growth of small businesses and enterprises. Many of these have grown and thrived.
In the plan areas smaller towns and villages have fostered new growth and expansion of small businesses and start-ups often initially from private homes. The recognition and
further support of this activity is welcomed. In addition, the recognition in this Policy Direction of the importance of encouraging diversification schemes in agricultural and rural holdings is welcomed. Opportunities for
diversification and in particular the repurposing of former agricultural buildings must be encouraged to promote the sustainability of modern farming operations.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 107259
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: R. Adams & Sons R. Adams & Sons
Asiant : Iceni Projects
The sentiment of this policy is supported; however, specific reference should be made to the role that existing employment sites can play in supporting the rural economy and addressing employment land need. The plan confirms that draft site-specific allocations will be published at the Regulation 19 Local Plan. This should include employment sites such as the RA&S which should be awarded a bespoke site-specific employment allocation to guarantee its future prosperity. RA&S already operates a successful business in which it supports local supply chains with 250,000 tonnes of combinable crop movements annually, 2,000 tonnes per day on a 7-day week basis. Allocation of the Site for employment purposes will ensure the future prosperity of RA&S and will uphold the key principle of Draft Policy 18, as well as paragraph 88 and 89 of the NPPF.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 107355
Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025
Ymatebydd: National Trust
Supporting rural employment and diversification - The National Trust are supportive of the Local Plan’s definition of rural employment whereby the rural economy encompasses all businesses operating in rural locations; not just those engaged in agricultural or land-based activities such as farming, food production or tourism. The National Trust is a significant employer in the Local Plan area given the number of properties that we operate and open to visitors.
We are pleased to note that development that contributes to a prosperous rural economy will be supported in principle, including the diversification of agricultural businesses and the expansion of existing rural businesses. It is our view however that this assessment must be balanced against compliance with other emerging policies regarding landscape character, the Green Belt and protecting and enhancing the historic environment to ensure that the support of such opportunities would not compromise the setting of the special places that the National Trust cares for.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 107530
Derbyniwyd: 06/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Richard Hall
This Policy Direction 18 is strongly supported and reflects policies already enshrined in the adopted Stratford District Local Plan. It is important to the continuing development and growth of the business that it retains an ability to expand and develop “in situ “based on the modest expansion of the existing buildings and supporting infrastructure. Inn Express Ltd represents a good example of the benefits of supportive planning policies aimed an appropriate development in rural areas. The principles outlined in this draft policy are welcomed. They improve the existing policy framework of both Council’s. This will help maintain a thriving local employment base in a predominantly rural area.
Yes
Preferred Options 2025
ID sylw: 108455
Derbyniwyd: 07/03/2025
Ymatebydd: Magdalen College, Oxford
Asiant : Savills
Magdalen College, Oxford supports the inclusion of a Rural Diversification Policy. Where existing buildings are no longer suitable for modern agriculture, there should be support in this policy for their re-use, either for employment or residential purposes.