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Rural Regeneration
Kent is, quintessentially, a rural county. Just over 85% of
Kent's land is classified as rural, whilst 29% of the population
live in rural parts of the County. Rural areas also contribute
significantly to the economy with more than a third of Kent's total
businesses being located in rural areas.
Yet, Kent's rural areas are currently experiencing significant
levels of change. Continued globalisation of markets, increasing
competition, agricultural policy reforms, increasing housing costs,
an ageing population, increasing water scarcity and climate change
represent just some of the challenges facing rural Kent.
The magnitude of these issues means that they need to be given
serious attention to ensure that rural Kent continues to function
economically, socially and environmentally.
The Kent Rural Board
The Kent Rural Board was set up in 2005 to develop a more
strategic and collaborative approach to understanding and addresses
these key issues.
Membership of the Board currently comprises:
- Action with Communities in Rural Kent
- Business Link Kent
- County Land and Business Association
- District Representative (Swale Borough Council)
- Government Office South East
- Kent Association of Parish Councils
- Kent County Agricultural Society
- Kent County Council
- Kent Downs AONB
- Kent Rural Taskforce
- Kent Wildlife Trust
- SEEDA
- Shepherd Neame.
The primary purpose of the Kent Rural Board is to oversee and
review the implementation of the Kent Rural Delivery Framework.
The Kent Rural Delivery Framework
The Kent Rural Delivery Framework represents the first,
dedicated multi-agency action plan for Kent's rural areas. It has
been authored to:
- Raise understanding and further awareness of the importance of
Kent's rural economy, rural communities and rural environment
- Provide a strategic framework for managing the extensive change
that is being experienced across all aspects of Kent's rural
agenda
- Quantify and highlight the inter-regional disparities that
exist across the South East's rural areas
- Encourage more innovative and entrepreneurial approaches across
all aspects of rural delivery
- Set out the 15 key actions that need to be achieved to maximise
the opportunities and overcome the issues facing Kent's rural
areas.
For further information please take a look at our documents
below:
Kent Rural Delivery Framework
Kent Rural Delivery Framework Implementation
Plans |