A major new report launched last night in Parliament by the YIMBY Initiative sets out a bold plan to revive the rural economy by reforming outdated planning laws. Titled “Yes In My Farm Yard: How Permitted Development Can Save Rural Britain”, the report argues that red tape is throttling opportunity in the countryside, and calls on the next government to go further, faster in freeing up rural land for homes, jobs and investment.
The event brought together MPs, policymakers, farmers, and rural business leaders to discuss the urgent need for planning reform. It follows the 2024 expansion by the Conservative government of agricultural Permitted Development Rights (PDRs), which allowed more flexibility for barn conversions and farm diversification, but the report argues that further action is now essential to close the rural productivity gap and secure a future for farming communities.
James Wright, an Exmoor farmer and rural campaigner, attended the event and backed the report’s findings, “We need to let rural Britain grow. That means backing local enterprise, unlocking housing for young families, and giving farmers the tools to invest and adapt.”
“Right now, outdated planning laws are holding the countryside back. Good businesses and farms are being let down. Young people can’t afford to stay. The countryside isn’t a museum, it’s a patchwork of living, evolving communities. We are losing time and talent we cannot afford to waste.”
“The Conservative’s 2024 reforms were a welcome start, but this report is right, we need to go further and faster. Give farmers and rural communities the freedom to use their land sensibly and sustainably, and they will build a brighter future.”
The report sets out a comprehensive package of reforms to permitted development, including:
• Expanding Class Q to allow more rural housing, with larger unit sizes and fewer barriers.
• Enabling on-farm digestate storage and processing under Class R to support fertiliser independence.
• Lifting arbitrary restrictions on new agricultural buildings under Part 6 to boost productivity and welfare.
• Extending permitted development to all rural areas, including National Parks and AONBs, while retaining safeguards.
It also proposes broader changes, such as revising the definition of affordable housing to include private rural providers, and introducing a new 'Grey Belt' designation to repurpose redundant agricultural sites.
Wright concluded, “If we want a future for the next generation in rural Britain, we have tostart by unblocking the system. This isn’t about concrete in the countryside, it’s about giving rural families, farmers and small businesses a chance to thrive. Let’s get on with it.”
The full report is available at: https://tyi.org.uk
