Archived News Mar/Apr/May/June 2007 Cotswold Mill for sale June 27th A fully restored 16th century Mill in the Cotswolds has come onto the open market for the first time. Trees key to future wellbeing June 26th A vision of how England’s trees, woods and forests can yield environmental, social and economic benefits for future generations has been set out. Coastal access all areas planned June 25th Plans to open up the whole of England’s coastline to the public for the first time have been set out by Environment Secretary David Miliband. At present, parts of the English coastline are out of bounds to walkers who find their routes blocked and are forced to make long detours inland. UK soil survey results revealed June 13th A major survey into contaminated levels in soil and grass in the UK has found that concentrations of dioxins have fallen by 70% since the late 1980s. Adults need to learn where food comes from June 12th A lack of knowledge about farming and food means that many British adults have no understanding of where or how food is produced, according to a recent survey. The otter returns June 11th Scientists have found otter numbers in England and Wales on the increase after farmers were banned from using some harmful pesticides. Hunting confusion continues June 10th As two men are found guilty of hunting, hunt supporters claim this is another example of how the law against hunting is confusing and imprecise South east price boom June 9th Prices in the south east are catching up to those in the capital, driven partly by demand from those moving out of London, but also due to the area's continued prosperity, says Knight Frank. Traditional skills boost local economy June 7th The repair of dry stone walls and historic farm buildings in Yorkshire has boosted the local economy, created jobs and kept traditional skills alive, according to a new report. House price inflation slows in May June 6th Nationwide's figures for May saw house price inflation slowing slightly as the market responded to further rises in inflation. Planning reforms should be sustainable May 30th Major reforms of the planning system have been announced but there are fears that the environment and local communities will lose out. Call for a European rural policy May 29th The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) should be scrapped and replaced with a new rural policy for the European Union, according to a new report. 2,500 post offices to close May 28th The Government is to oversee the closure of 2,500 post offices nationally over the next year and a half, it was announced today. Listing process to be simplified May 27th A Government White Paper aims to bring heritage protection into the modern era by making the listing process easier whilst protecting property owners Planning system could be in for a change May 16th The Government is expected to publish its Planning White Paper this week and sweeping changes to the planning system are predicted. Court challenge to HIPs May 15th RICS has begun judicial review proceedings against the Government over its plans to introduce mandatory Home Information Packs (HIPs) on June 1 Long term mooring tendering May 14th Tendering is to be introduced for long term mooring sites on certain inland waterways. Crumbling Heritage 'Needs Proper Investment' May 13th A lack of government funding over the last five years has created a £1 billion repair backlog, putting 17,000 buildings at risk, a heritage survey has shown Call to provide energy from woodlands May 3rd Wood could produce energy to heat 250,000 households, according to the latest findings from Forestry Commission England. Mass planting to celebrate mass trespass May 2nd The public are being invited to help plant cotton grass and heather on Kinder Scout to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the mass trespass which inspired freedom of access to the hills. The Great Milk Debate May 1st Events are being held around the country to raise awareness of the issues facing dairy farmers and the crisis in the British dairy industry. Bluebell woods under threat April 24th The increasing popularity of planting bluebells in gardens is leading to their decline after thousands are being dug up and sold on, according to the Wildlife Trusts. Defra slammed for RPS delivery April 22nd A new report from a group of senior MPs says farmers suffering twice for Defra's incompetence in dealing with the Rural Payments Scheme How do I measure my carbon footprint? April 20th How exactly do you measure your carbon footprint? Discover how to calculate how much your lifestyle contributes to climate change. There’s a lotta otters in Scotland April 18th The Scottish Natural Heritage survey focused on 1376 sample sites across the country that discovered traces of otter populations at 1267 locations (92.08%). BovineTB in wildlife study April 16th Funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the project, which cost over £1million was carried out by the Department of Zoology at the University of Oxford. House prices 'bounce back' April 12th House prices have officially 'bounced back' as the market absorbed the first round of interest rate rises, says today's RICS' UK housing market survey Hostel to become outdoor study centre April 11th A deal has been struck to sell YHA Llangollen to the University of Central Lancashire for use as a centre for outdoor studies. Traditional building skills courses April 10th A new programme of hands-on courses, lectures and seminars in traditional building skills is to get underway across Essex. News from the countryside April 2nd Victorian kennels under threat and the unveiling of the world's largest rabbit. Plus more from the countryside Rural payment failures slammed April 1st The disastrous attempt by Defra and the Rural Payments Agency to introduce a new Single Payment Scheme for farmers is as much about failed policy implementation as it is about a lack of accountability, according to a Commons Select Committee report. Rural children may be living in poverty Mar 31st New statistics show an increase of 100,000 children living in poverty – those in rural areas are equally vulnerable and face particular challenges says Barnardos. CALOR RURAL PUB IN THE COMMUNITY AWARD OPEN FOR ENTRIES Mar 30th Calor, the UK's leading supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), is offering pubs a prize that money just can't buy by entering the 2007 Calor Rural Pub in the Community Award. House Price Inflation Slows Mar 29th Nationwide found inflation dropping to single figures again in March, as interest rate rises gently eased demand, although the year-on-year rate remains firm. Take a lead and save eggs Mar 28th A plea has gone out to dog owners to put their animals on a lead or ground nesting birds could be wiped out. Fewer birds in gardens over winter Mar 27th Mild weather and bumper berry crops in hedgerows contributed to fewer wild birds being seen in UK gardens this winter. 4x4 tax hike will hit rural workers Mar 26th The Chancellor's decision to raise road tax for owners of the most polluting vehicles will hit farmers in rural areas hardest, says the CA Calls for stamp duty change Mar 25th Nearly 20% of homebuyers are paying at least £7,500 in stamp duty, compared to just 6% in 2001, according to research by HBOS Hosepipe ban to be updated Mar 24th Proposals to include a wider range of water-use activities in any future hosepipe ban have been published for consultation. Scheme to help small food producers Mar 17th A new food safety scheme is launched this week that will enable small food producers to directly supply local retailers. Illegal outdoor advertisements crackdown Mar 16th Councils have been given new powers to track offenders who advertise illegally on England’s roadsides. British children: ‘cows lay eggs’ Mar 7th As the government battles to provide healthier school meals, children are not being properly educated about where their food comes from, says Dairy Farmers of Britain Long term leisure moorings ruling Mar 6th In a landmark ruling for Britain’s historic canal network and the 8,000 owners of leisure boats who moor on the banks of the canals, British Waterways (BW) has successfully appealed an Enforcement Notice issued by Kennet District Council for the right to establish long term leisure moorings on its waterways. Fly-tipper jailed Mar 5th A persistent fly-tipper has been sent to prison for 16 months after a joint investigation by the Environment Agency and local authorities. Properties surge onto the market Mar 4th There are more properties on the market than there have been for months, helping to address the supply/demand imbalance says team Association