Moved by
The Earl of Dundee
79: After Clause 34, insert the following new Clause—
“Planning guidance for agricultural smallholdings
The Secretary of State may create planning guidance for local authorities to facilitate the development of combined smallholding home and work spaces for the following purposes—
(a) to encourage the construction of affordable rural houses;
(b) to create employment in farming and ancillary enterprises;
(c) to increase supplies of locally grown fresh food to improve food security;
(d) to increase productivity and profitability through agroecological farming on smallholdings; and
(e) to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, regenerate soil fertility and nurture biodiversity through smallholder farming.”
Member’s explanatory statement
This new Clause would enable the Government to give guidelines to local authorities to encourage combined smallholding home and workspace development, thus promoting employment whilst also increasing local food supplies through productive and profitable agroecological smallholder farming.