Rural property experts share goals for new PM Liz Truss

Ross Murray – Woodland

Forestry needs the government’s attention. There is a fibre deficit in the UK as we import 80% of our daily needs, from toilet paper to construction timber and much in-between.

Planting rates are lamentable as farmers grapple with alternative land use, tree disease, squirrel and deer damage, and the poor economics of an investment which is unlikely to be realised in less than 40 years.

Trees realistically needs financial support for the first 15 years of maintenance, and to cover the significant upfront costs. The goal is greater tree cover to support our net zero ambitions, and far greater use of timber to insulate our homes. A more positive public policy could achieve this and enhance the environment in so many ways.

Robert Blake – Energy

Your campaign rhetoric however was decidedly negative regarding onshore solar, but was this for the benefit of party members or will there really be a U turn on recent policy?

And with the new Business and Energy Secretary promising to lift the moratorium on fracking and extract every ounce of oil and gas from the North Sea, where does this government stand on the transition to net zero?

I would like to have clear direction at national level on the grade of agricultural land that this government considers suitable for utility scale solar farm and a relaxation of the size limits for rooftop solar under permitted development that currently results in considerable areas of industrial and commercial roofs being left unused.

Roland Brass – Planning

In terms of planning, the new PM has landed at an exciting and challenging time, amidst planning reform. As a priority, it would be useful to landowners, developers and councils it would be useful if you could ask your team to provide some certainty on direction of travel around the reform proposals, housing numbers and levelling up. You have already adopted a pragmatic approach to the nutrient neutrality issue, stating that you will remove the red tape. This is a positive first step!

John Williams – Rural Asset Management

From early on in the Conservative leadership race you have tried to win over the rural community, but so far the nice words have failed to enthuse much of the countryside, this is something that needs to be rectified with action.

In a world where reasoned debate is becoming a rarity, you must ensure that the current media narrative of nature recovery OR food production is tackled. It is not the case that it is one or the other, but where appropriate the best method to reach both objectives should be sought. Indeed synergy is key.

Communication between policymakers and rural communities is vital to ensuring delivery of the government’s objectives, while ensuring that the methods used do not adversely affect those delivering them. A long-term approach must be taken ideally with cross party consensus

Andrew Roberts – Agri-consultancy

There are so many things an arable farmer could ask for, but a clear message about how food production/food security can be balanced with the government’s environmental goals while recognising that 99% of farmers already care for their soils and the environment would be great.

And no more damaging trade deals, but do please advocate around the globe for the export of quality British commodities.

Please do get in touch with our rural team to discuss how they can help

Photo by Illiya Vjestica on Unsplash