WITH agriculture on the decline, rural environments could be revitalised to bring much-needed jobs and benefits to local communities, members of Ross-on-Wye Chamber of Commerce were told by a rural regeneration expert at a seminar last Thursday.

Ian Butter, of the Yorkshire firm of Rural Solutions, said similar projects that had brought prosperity to other parts of Britain could be put in place amid beautiful surroundings such as those in the south Herefordshire town.

He said that the changes in agriculture and the need for new employment opportunities in rural areas were being met with a wide range of projects nationwide which realised value from land and buildings.

Mr Butter instanced the run-down Broughton Hall Estate at Skipton as an excellent example.

The estate had been developed into one of the most successful and prestigious business locations in the country, providing a unique environment for companies looking to escape from congested cities and enjoying the benefits of easy access and sophisticated communications.

Ross-on-Wye was well placed for regeneration, said Mr Butter.

"Agriculture is an increasingly small component and the real engine house for regeneration is a non-agricultural base. New rural enterprise will ensure agricultural survival," he said.

Mr Butter said the large Broughton family estate had been on the brink of survival by the 1970s.

Today, however, there were 40 companies with 500 people working in offices on the estate. People, said Mr Butter, liked to work in country areas.

Schools, shops and pubs and the community in general had been revitalised. The estate buildings had been preserved, the farm converted to organic working and woodlands managed properly.

"There are a lot of hurdles to overcome in regeneration, not least with finance, grants and planning requirements, but the countryside really has to embrace change and I hope this will happen in the Ross area."

Affordable housing

Mr Robin Symonds, chairman of the Ross Area Partnership, who chaired the seminar, said that to qualify for funding under the Market Towns Initiative, the strategy must be 70% weighted in favour of projects of economic regeneration.

"The trouble is we are still looking for a project that is likely to achieve this.

"I am firmly of the opinion that the only thing which stands a chance is an infusion of well-paid people in the prime of their working life, living near where they work."

Mr Symonds said conditions needed to be created where home-grown enterprise could establish itself and prosper.

"For this we need to provide training, housing, including affordable housing, financial incentives and excellent business promises in attractive surroundings.

"This can be done without compromising the environment which is perhaps our greatest asset."

Questions to Mr Butter referred to the need to attract major finance for a suitable project, the slowness in obtaining planning permission and the planning difficulties in attracting offices into the local countryside.

Redundant churches and church buildings could be converted to aid the community, said another questioner.

Mr David Curtis, agent to the Duchy of Cornwall said that among work at Harewood Park at Harewood End, some £8 million had been invested in a complex of work units. A problem, said Mr Curtis, was being able to charge an economic rent. Fifty miles away the rents would probably be double.

The chamber's president, Mrs Jo Ashman, expressed thanks to those attending the seminar. Mr Brian Atherton, secretary was also thanked for organising the event.