CLA tells Government how to cut red tape in rural business

The CLA has told the Government what it must do to help the rural economy survive by cutting red tape.

The Association, whose 35,000 members run more than 250 types of rural businesses, said David Camerons renewed commitment to cutting red tape and supporting business, made at the Conservative party spring conference, must include measures to avoid excessive regulation in rural areas.

CLA President William Worsley said: We have been involved with Richard Macdonalds review of farming red tape and last year published Planning for Change in the Countryside, a policy paper demanding a less expensive and more efficient planning system that promotes appropriate rural economic development. However, there are other areas where a pro-business government could help to release entrepreneurship in the countryside.

Two years ago we were promised permitted development rights for small-scale non domestic renewable energy projects. We pushed for the streamlining of environmental consents and last year the Penfold review made dozens of recommendations to help unlock the potential of the rural economy. All of these have yet to be put into practice.

The CLA had previously raised concerns over the proposed change to empty business rates.

Mr Worsley said: Rural businesses pay rates on exactly the same basis as their urban counterparts but receive far fewer services and are forced to pay rates on empty premises. Therefore, we ask the Government to restore the partial exemption for empty commercial property.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has around 35,000 members.

As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and their businesses. Our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support.

We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership, land management and rural business activities for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales, and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.

For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk or follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/CLAtweets