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 Bute’s rural economy; explore what the planning service is trying to do about it.

3. Challenges we face in Argyll and Bute • Scotland’s 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. 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 Economic Opportunities

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.