Changing planning laws to help commercial property development is the key to fulfilling Britain's rural economic potential, the Royal institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has said.
The body made the comment in response to a report which has indicated that rural areas of Britain have the potential to double their economic output.
Dr Stuart Burgess, the government's rural advocate, argued in the report that a major expansion of the countryside's economy could be achieved through a combination of measures, in response to which Rics public policy officer James Rowlands said a key area is the ability to expand commercial property.
He commented: "The success of rural businesses is being hampered by government planning policy which places unfair restrictions on property development in the countryside."
Mr Rowlands stated that planning criteria such as proximity to public transport links discriminated against ruralcommercial property development and should be changed.
© Adfero Ltd
The above story is copyright Adfero Ltd(News Agency)
if you have any questions please contact the Knight Frank Press Office