Transcript Document
Planning the New
Rural Economy
Fergus Murray
Argyll and Bute Council
Development Policy Manager
Introduction
Presentation is designed to state some of the
challenges facing Argyll and Bute’s rural economy;
explore what the planning service is trying to do about
it.
Challenges we face in
Argyll and Bute
Scotland’s urban areas are getting their act together;
Falling and aging population with a continued loss of young,
economically active families;
Divided rural communities with very different agendas;
Dwindling school rolls; continued loss of key rural services
such as shops, hotels, post offices, health care etc;
House costs doubled in 2 years; Plot prices also
doubled/landowners drip feeding the market; acute shortage
of affordable housing in the right place; Sustained demand for
holiday accommodation/second homes, especially on our
scenic coast;
Average household income in Argyll and Bute £26,000;
Average house price £117,000;
Challenges we face in
Argyll and Bute
Increasingly centralised decision making; Multi layered
bureaucracy Increased legislation pushing up costs
beyond rural economies of scale;
Globalisation; failing traditional industries with
inadequate pay levels; seasonal peaks in employment; a
growing migrant workforce; rapidly changing policy
regimes i.e. CAP reform; water framework directive;
Inadequate funding for regeneration/economic
development; Crumbling and inadequate infrastructure;
roads; leisure; water and sewerage; unable to deal with
a growth agenda;
Climate change; sea level rise, land erosion; increased
flooding/increased rain intensity;
Insufficient skill base to undertake available work;
very difficult to attract/retain skilled staff.
Economic Opportunities
High quality
products/marketing
The use of
sustainable design/
local sourcing of
materials
Environmental
enhancement and
pollution control
Gateway to National
Park / Marine
National Park
New technology
/home working/
knowledge economy
Land/crofting reform
Renewable energy/
waste minimisation
/recycling
Environmental
tourism in all its
forms
Forestry
diversification
/Research &
Development
National/Regional
Leisure opportunities
/Lifestyle
opportunities
Transport
improvements
Planning response in
Argyll and Bute
Structure Plan advocates a sustainable growth agenda; Seeks a win/win
scenario; biodiversity maintenance; precautionary; and the polluter pays.
Introduces 8 development control zones
Advocates Estate/farm diversification plans and coastal framework plans;
Advocates sustainable development principles
Local Plan Introduces Potential Development Areas and Areas For Action to
target investment; help take a longer term view; ensure a master-planned
approach that allows flexibility;
Identifies/releases more land, with an emphasis on affordable housing and
business diversification; quality counts;
Promotes our key rural towns (Oban; Dunoon; Rothesay; Cambeltown &
Lochgilphead) for additional investment through Areas For Action and where
appropriate comprehensive Action Plans;
Encourages smaller communities to prepare their own settlement plans and
design statements;
Introduction of a sustainable design guide with detailed siting plans prepared
for more pressured areas;
Introduction of a sustainable checklist for significant developments;
Introduction of a series of sustainability indicators.