RURAL PLANNING ISSUES AND PLANNING GAIN
Nigel Lowthrop
Hill Holt Wood Ltd

A Holistic Approach to Countryside Management

Environmental Management of an Ancient Woodland
Move from Grant Dependency
Breakdown of the Urban Rural Divide
Access
Youth Crime Reduction
New Starts for Life
Community Control
Appropriate Building
Appropriate Energy

NEEDS

A Change of Mindset
Lateral Thinking
Real Diversification
PARTNERSHIPS

CONCEPT

Adding Value
Using the Fabric of the Countryside
Solving Social Issues
Community Control/Involvement

RECOGNITION OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL GAIN BY PLANNERS

Check
Appropriate use/occupancy
Appropriate Design
Appropriate Materials
Low Impact
Low Energy
Not for Profit
Community Gain

HISTORY OF HILL HOLT WOOD

1995 : HHW PURCHASED
1997 : HHW MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1998 : ENVIRONMENTAL TASK FORCE
2001 : EXCLUDED CHILDREN
2002 : HHW LTD : COMMUNITY CONTROL
2003 : ENTRY TO EMPLOYMENT (E2E)
2004 : FIRST MAJOR FUNDING BID
2004 : ROYAL VISIT, REPLICATION, RAISING OF AWARENESS.

CURRENT STATUS

2002-2003
Trading Turnover Trading Surplus Staff	£157,000 £31,500 8 Full-time
2003-2004
Trading Turnover Surplus Staff	£314,000 £40,000 15 Full-time

The Future

Increased Trading Turnover
Encouraging Tourism
Investing in Our Heritage
Developing Further Training Opportunities
Replication
Staff Housing

Summary

The ‘WIN WIN’
Integration of Land with People
Long-term Sustainability
A New Approach to the Countryside
PARTNERSHIPS

page top^