Archived News Oct/Nov/Dec 2007 Green energy could be blown on course Dec 20th Thousands of wind turbines capable of providing energy to every house in Britain could be constructed along UK coastlines. Agriculture and government ‘must tackle climate change together' Dec 19th Farming and government must work together to be part of the solution to climate change, a major cross industry report has concluded. Planning reforms ‘could cost tax payers' Dec 18th Government proposals for a new quango to make decisions on major developments could save money for developers but leave the taxpayer with a higher bill, the Campaign to Protect Rural England has claimed. Rural watchdog signals need to strengthen ‘rural proofing' of government policy Dec 3rd Government policy is still not adequately considering the needs of rural communities, claims a new report by the Commission for Rural Communities. Radical plans to tackle problem of affordable housing in rural areas Dec 3rd Liberal Democrat leadership contender Nick Clegg MP has unveiled radical plans for solving the affordable housing crisis in rural areas. Soldiers enlisted for campaign against illegal off-roading and fly-tipping Dec 2nd Army engineers have mobilised to help restore around one-and-a-half miles of footpaths and bridlepaths devastated by illegal off-roading within Bredhurst Hurst's ancient woodland in Kent. Report on the Seventh National Rural Social Enterprise Conference (November 28 and 29) Dec 1st New impetus for community empowerment; Community shops option for postal services; Government could improve its ‘rural proofing' policies; More affordable housing in rural areas needed; Social enterprise offers economic benefits Tips on barn and farm conversions Nov 30th Not ideal for family houses, conversions do, however, attract downsizers and weekenders but some key factors need to be included for a successful sale Flower memorial for lives lost in village Nov 29th Local children from Thames View Junior School will put the finishing touches to the £290,000 Environment Agency project ‘Creekmouth Open Space' as they plant over 500 wild flower bulbs at the Barking Barrier Support needed for rural housing Nov 28th Proposed levels of investment in affordable rural housing by Regional Assemblies will result in 5% fewer homes being provided in each of the next three years than annually during 2006-08, according to research launched by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC). Britain's toads at risk Nov 27th Britain's toads are at risk from a deadly infection that has caused the extinction of many other amphibians. The chytrid fungus, or Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (BD) was brought into the UK by imported frogs. Green Belt land is shrinking dramatically Nov 26th Green Belt land is shrinking, and an area the size of London has been built on in just the past 10 years. Climate Change Bill published Nov 21st Legislation that sets out plans to tackle climate change for the next 50 years has been published in Parliament. Livestock under threat - along with the countryside Nov 20th As consumers and environmental organisations join forces with the NFU to launch a campaign to highlight the importance of Britain's threatened beef and lamb sector, a report has shown 72 per cent of shoppers want to be able to buy British beef and lamb and 80 per cent believe supermarkets should be offering farmers a fair deal. Investing in flood defences Nov 19th The Government must bring forward its timetable for investment in flood defences or risk a repeat of the devastation caused in the summer, council leaders have warned. House prices to remain calm in 2008 Nov 18th Nationwide's predictions for next year see house prices pausing for breath, and hopefully letting affordability catch up into 2008 Fair trade needed for supermarket suppliers Nov 6th The UK groceries market is delivering a good deal for consumers but action is needed to improve competition in a number of local markets and to address relationships between retailers and their suppliers, the Competition Commission (CC) has provisionally concluded. Organic food benefits Nov 5th Organic food contains more nutritional value than conventional produce, according to a study by Newcastle University. Skills and buildings at risk Nov 4th Heritage Counts 2007, the sixth annual survey of the state of the historic environment has revealed that many more skilled crafts people and professionals are needed to tackle the challenges faced by England's historic environment. Farmers' livelihoods at risk Nov 3rd Supermarkets put farmers' livelihoods at risk, says Church of England National Trust to save green belt land? Nov 2nd National Trust chairman Sir William Proby has announced that the Trust may buy land to protect the countryside from extreme housing development. Meat consumption affects climate change Oct 25th Your fork has a bigger impact on climate change than your car key, warned farm animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), as it launched a new report and initiative ‘Global Warning: The Big Food Challenge'. Badger cull debate rages Oct 24th Kill badgers to prevent the spread of TB, says Government's chief scientist Land-based work needs migrant workers Oct 23rd Disappointment has been expressed at the conclusion of a report which could affect the number of non-skilled migrant workers available for seasonal work in the UK. Farmers Weekly launches the Farming Help Appeal 2007 Oct 22nd The Farming Help Appeal 2007 has been launched by Farmers Weekly to help those country families who are struggling, following the Foot and Mouth outbreak, low livestock prices, bluetongue and floods. Rural transport cut to the quick Oct 19th Public transport in the countryside is being cut back to the point where it is almost non-existent in some areas. Reducing young road casualties Oct 18th An innovative cross-border campaign to try to cut death and injuries among road users in Cumbria and Dumfries and Galloway is being backed by the Highways Agency. More action needed on fly-tipping Oct 17th Local authorities are being urged to bring themselves up to the level of the best in tackling fly-tipping as new figures on the problem are published. Badger cull Oct 16th Badger cull petition is signed by 1,000 farmers in anticipation of Defra ruling Renting property in the countryside Oct 15th Trying - renting - before buying in the countryside is a popular way of trying out an area Local councils could save post offices Oct 10th Council leaders have said that post offices that are facing the axe could be prevented from closure with the help of local councils and have told the Post Office that local people must be consulted properly over the closure of post offices across the country. Immigrants aim for rural areas Oct 9th Immigrants - many from Eastern Europe - are targeting rural areas in search of work and accommodation. Greener future for the Broads Oct 8th One of the UK's best-loved landscapes has been badly damaged by decades of harm and neglect according to a new report. £12.5million package for farmers Oct 7th Defra has announced a support package worth £12.5 million for farmers