New research highlights value of rural estates to economy

New research just published by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) confirms that rural estates are making a significant contribution to the region's economy by either directly employing or providing accommodation for over 18,000 jobs across a range of business areas.

Carried out by Smiths Gore, one of the UK's leading firms of rural property advisers, the research aimed to identify the scale and nature of estates, land and premises in the East Midlands; investigate how estates are already contributing to the priorities in the Regional Economic Strategy (RES); and increase understanding of how these assets benefit local communities and the wider regional economy.

As Jeff Moore, emda's Chief Executive explained:  "We realise that estates make a vital and widespread contribution to local life in rural areas.  But it became apparent in our discussions with the CLA that we at emda had a limited awareness of how many rural estates there actually are in the region or how much they contribute to the economy, environment and wider society.  This research was commissioned to answer some of these questions and to provide evidence to inform future potential public and private sector investments in these important assets." 

According to the research, there are almost 300 rural estates which account for nearly a quarter (23%) of the region's land area.  They collectively own a wide range of assets including agricultural land, houses, workspace and community facilities.  Over 70% are privately owned, 20% are owned by institutions or charities, with less than 10% falling under local authority or other public sector ownership.

Headline findings include:

• 12 of the 20 top paid for attractions in the East Midlands are estates or historic houses, which attracted around 2.4 million visitors in 2007
• there has been an 81% growth in the area of workspace provided by estates over the last five years
• 45% of estates are undertaking energy efficiency and renewable energy activities
• two thirds of the estates own and maintain community facilities, providing at least 166 village halls in the region
• estates are responsible for 50% of the region's registered parks and gardens and 27% of listed buildings
• estates own 23% of houses in their local area (around 7,800 houses across the region) and provide 13% of their houses rent free or below market rents as goodwill (equivalent to 27% of the social housing provision in their area).

The study also identified a number of barriers which prevent estates from either growing as they would like or developing their assets.  These include issues relating to broadband speeds, empty property taxes, complex planning processes and a lack of awareness of public sector funding opportunities.

CLA East Midlands Director, Helen Woolley, said: "Estates make a significant contribution to the rural economy in the East Midlands.  They also play a role in supporting their local community.  emda's study into the potential benefits of the public sector working more positively with rural estates will improve our ability to support our members in fulfilling both these roles."

Jeff Moore added:  "This research clearly highlights the positive opportunities for estates and the public sector to work more closely together.  For example, through our work with local authorities, the Business Link service, Rural Development Programme For England (RDPE) and East Midlands Tourism, we will ensure that appropriate steps are taken to maximise the economic potential of rural estates as part of our vision for a flourishing region."   

Full details of the research have been captured in a new 'Working positively with rural estates' document, launched over the weekend at the annual CLA Game Fair held at Belvoir Castle near Grantham.  This is available to download from emda's website – www.emda.org.uk/ruralestates  

MP3 - Rural Heritage Jeff Moore emda (64KB)
On how development agencies and the CLA can work together to ensure people understand the value that rural estates can make to our communities

ENDS

For further information about this press release, please contact Clare Baker (emda Media and PR Manager) on 0115 988 8583 or clarebaker@emd.org.uk

Notes to editors

This research was undertaken by a group led by Smiths Gore, with input from Globe Consulting, Rural Innovation and the Rural Evidence Research Centre at Birkbeck College, London University.

About emda

East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.

Ten years on, independent evaluation shows emda has:

• Had a significant impact on the region's economy
• Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
• Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
• Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
• A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.

emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times. 

Over the long term, emda's aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations.  The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for 'a flourishing region' can be achieved. 

For more details visit www.emda.org.uk

About the CLA

1. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has a 36,000-strong membership. 

2. As a membership organisation, the CLA supports landowners by advising them on how best to protect and maximise their asset: the land. We are dedicated to supporting landowners and our success is measured by how effectively we do that. We have a team of experts in London and a regional structure able to give local support. We have been looking after the interests of our members, as well as promoting the positive aspects of land ownership and land management, for the past 100 years. CLA members own or manage approximately half the rural land in England and Wales and the resulting expertise puts us in a unique position to formulate policies and lobby effectively.

3. For more information about the CLA, visit: www.cla.org.uk

About Smiths Gore

Smiths Gore is one of the UK's leading firms of rural chartered surveyors and property consultants.  For more information, visit www.smithsgore.co.uk .