The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) ‘rural action plan’ aims to see greater access to wireless broadband services across remote parts of the country, including Cumbria, and lists out plans to increase the availability of housing by, among other methods, making it easier for farmers to convert unused agricultural buildings into homes by ‘cutting red tape’.

Gordon and Dawn who converted Brampton’s Peel Castle into a holiday let (Image: The Cumberland)

This plan is to be delivered via £7million of funding from the government to ‘test out’ new ways to bring together satellite, wireless, and fixed line internet connectivity, which will aim to help support farmers and tourism businesses to access faster and more reliable connectivity.

The government said these new approached will also help rural businesses in trial areas make the most of new agricultural technologies by improving connectivity on their land, for example using new drone technology to monitor crops and livestock in real-time, support landscape and wildlife conservation efforts, or develop interactive experiences for tourists.

The fund is one of a broad range of steps the government said it is taking to boost rural communities on housing, transport, digital connectivity and jobs as set out in a new publication on June 6.

Called ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’, it states how the government intend to deliver prime minister Rishi Sunak’s ‘priority’ to grow the economy, creating ‘better-paid jobs and opportunity’ right across the country.

Rural areas already contribute 15 per cent to England’s economy, which amounts to over £250billion of the nation’s GDP, but the programme seeks to unlock further growth.

Rishi Sunak said: “I have pledged to build a better future for people in this country, and our rural communities are right at the heart of that promise.

“That’s why I’m determined to make sure that their interests are front and centre of all our work to grow the economy and strengthen our communities – so that every part of our country gets the support it needs to thrive.”

To boost the supply of new affordable housing to rent or buy in rural areas, the government will create a network of new rural housing enablers to act as ‘honest brokers’ between developers and communities.

Backed by £2.5million of funding, it is said that they will help to identify sites with local support for development and in keeping with the local area.

The government will also consult on making it easier for farmers to change their redundant agricultural buildings into family homes by ‘cutting red tape’.

“Planning rules could be changed to provide a more generous threshold delivered through the more streamlined planning process while providing local authorities with new powers to safeguard against second homes and holiday lets.

Environment secretary Thérèse Coffey said: “The countryside makes up over 90% of the UK’s land mass, it is home to millions of people and contributes over £250billion to our economy in England alone.

The Cottage in the Woods, Keswick, a popular tourist spot (Image: The Cottage in the Woods)

“Rural areas are rich in human and natural potential with strong communities and entrepreneurial businesses.

“This government is committed to making sure that the needs of people and businesses in rural areas are at the heart of policymaking. 

“We want to go further in unleashing that potential and support people in rural areas to build the sustainable future they want to see.

“Unleashing Rural Opportunity sets out what we have already delivered for rural communities and new initiatives to build on that record.”

Locally, the tourism sector needs some reviving and support, according to the Cumbrian building society The Cumberland.

The business said the tourism sector has faced increasing adversity in the past few years, with the pandemic having a large impact, and a brief respite felt post-lockdown being short-lived.

The emergence of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis saw Brits tighten their purse strings, leading to an inability to spend freely, they said.

Cumbria Tourism recently reported 46 per cent of businesses in Cumbria saw a reduction in average spending per customer over the past three months, and along with that, 94 per cent are concerned about rising bills, 86 per cent about rising costs, and 66 per cent about passing on these increases to customers.

The crisis could be a step too far for the sector, despite the Government’s introduction of its tourism recovery plan, The Cumberland said.

Despite these challenges, the Cumbria Tourism report suggests confidence is rising.

63 per cent of businesses expressed confidence in their survival over the next five years, and increase from the previous figure of 45 per cent recorded six months ago.

A spokesperson from The Cumberland said: “(We) continued to help local businesses fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

“By implementing a relationship-managed approach and putting its people at the heart of what they do, The Cumberland has helped numerous businesses successfully navigate the challenges and supported them during the moments which matter most.

“The relationship-managed approach is something The Cumberland has strived to hardwire into its genetic makeup.

“The Cumberland Building Society has been lending to the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has provided more than £20million in investment to the hospitality sector in the past two years alone.”

Commenting on Defra’s rural action plan, Roger Mortlock, chief executive of the charity Council for the Preservation of Rural England, said: “Moves to properly understand rural deprivation are better late than never, but plans to make it easier for farmers to change their existing agricultural buildings into houses are fundamentally flawed unless they result in more affordable homes for local people. 

Lowthian Gill Farm Main House in Eden, on sale last year for £7million (Image: GCS Gray)

“After many years of funding cuts, it’s good to see extra support for rural housing enablers – who work alongside rural communities and landowners to get consent for decent, affordable homes in the countryside, helping ensure it has the backing of local people and fits into the surrounding area. 

“All rural communities are asking for is a fair share of the budget and for policies that show a genuine understanding of rural areas.

“While these initiatives are welcome, there’s still more to do to address the chronic underfunding of the countryside for over a decade.”

DEFRA’s plan builds on its ‘rural proofing work’, whereby all government policy is examined to ensure it’s delivering for rural communities.

The next rural proofing report will be published later this year.