Originally from: mona parr
                        
Hundreds of acres of land between the countryside and town are underused and overlooked, according to the Countryside Agency and Groundwork \x{2013} an environmental regeneration charity. Around each urban area there is a hinterland comprising up to 20% of our total land area that should be a place for our children to play in, a place to improve our health, grow local food and provide sustainable jobs.

Politicians, local communities, planners and businesses need to grab the opportunity to create a vision for the future of the rural/urban fringe, was the message during the launch of the consultation on land and countryside use immediately around towns.

Pam Warhust, deputy chair of the Countryside Agency said: \x{201C}It is a common misconception that there is a clear distinction between the countryside \x{2013} green fields, hedgerows, hills and woodlands \x{2013} and towns and cities. In reality the two often blur around the edges in a distinctive zone of horse-pastures, public utilities such as electrical substations and struggling agriculture.

\x{201C}This consultation gives us an opportunity to consider what the rural/urban fringe could mean to the people who live, work and visit there, and how to achieve the best social, economic and environmental benefits from this often overlooked resource

Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael welcomed the vision document, saying: \x{201C} The countryside around our towns is an important environment for today\x{2019}s generation and a rich asset for future generations provided we get the planning right. We need to get rid of the outdated idea of a rural/urban divide because we need each other. A vision for the rural/urban fringe will provide a template for combining local environmental, social and economic priorities to create more attractive surroundings and recreational opportunities and generate more income from a wider range of sources, for land managers and others who depend upon the fringe for a living.\x{201D} Many people farming on the outskirts of urban areas will feel such a vision may be difficult to achieve, even though it would be welcomed. For some there is still a definite divide between town and country. It may possibly be through a lack of understanding but vandalism, arson, theft and anti-social behaviour on land and crops backing onto built up areas is often what farmers have to contend with. One such farmer who has seen development gradually encircle his land, told NFU Countryside that he gave up sheep production because he could no longer bear to see his ewes and lambs being regularly attacked by dogs. However, those involved with the vision are positive about it\x{2019}s future. Tony Hawkhead, Chief Executive of Groundwork, said: \x{201C}One of the greatest challenges we face as a nation is learning to live more sustainably. This means ensuring that our urban centres develop in harmony with the environment that surrounds them. The rural urban fringe has enormous potential to help us meet the needs of the present \x{2013} for local food, recreation, renewable energy and education \x{2013} while changing the way we live in the future. Groundwork has been helping regenerate the rural urban fringe for more than 21 years. Now is the time for us to work together to unlock the full potential of this valuable resource.\x{201D} Responses to this consultation will help shape a final version of the vision to be launched in mid 2004, followed by further work to stimulate the changes necessary to make the vision a reality. The closing date for responses is 30 April 2004. The vision document and a questionnaire for submitting responses are available at: www.groundwork.org.uk/policy/rufconsultation or by emailing: ...