Planning authorities and developers are failing to assist the countryside, says the Countryside Agency.
Research carried out by the Planning Policy Research Group of Oxford Brookes University points to planning departments that are already negotiating with developers to provide cycleways, woodlands, nature reserves and funding for buses as part of their planning agreements. Others, however, are neglecting the opportunity to provide such community benefits, it says.
More than 40 projects which have secured community or environmental benefits are listed in Countryside benefits from developer contributions.
“Whenever new development takes place in or near to the countryside, it is in the public interest for developers to provide benefits to offset the impact on enjoyment of the countryside,” said Jeremy Worth, head of planning at the agency. “Too often, most effort seems to go into negotiating new roads and other built facilities.”
And planners need to show developers what they expect of them and why.
The report is available at £15 plus £2.50 p&p from Research and Publications Secretary, School of Planning, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane Campus, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP (01865 483491).