CLA presses Dr Neil Hudson on levelling-up for rural communities

The CLA held a meeting (17 June) with Penrith and The Border MP Dr Neil Hudson. Meeting at Gowbarrow Hall at Watermillock along the shores of Ullswater.

During the meeting, Dr Hudson was presented with a copy of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Business report on Levelling-up the rural economy. Specific issues were raised about delays in the planning system and examples were given of first-class environmental educations projects which are being held-back by bureaucracy.

MP for Penrith and the Border Dr Neil Hudson said:

“It was great to be at Ullswater with the CLA and CLA members to discuss important issues facing our rural communities. Issues including planning, funding for farming schemes, and the pressures facing our rural stakeholders.”

“I am really keen to work with the CLA and all our Cumbrian farmers to do the best thing for our area to bolster food production and protect our precious environment."

CLA Rural Adviser Libby Bateman said:

“We have got a lot of work to do to ensure that the Government’s levelling-up agenda filters out to rural industries and isn’t simply a dollop of money for Northern towns and cities.”

“As farmers and landowners navigate the agricultural transition process, it is essential they can adapt and planning plays a key role in enabling business vitality through flexibility. It was very good of Dr Hudson to spare the time to hear more about the findings of the Rural Business APPG report and I’m pleased to hear Government is taking notice and has recently made some announcements to help address some of the challenges.”

“Replacing the existing government farming support is mired in delays and challenges, which need to be addressed. Upland farmers know how to balance the environment with food production as they have been doing it for many generations, it cannot be and is not an either / or situation.”