Are planning reforms breathing new life into rural communities or bringing them into battle over unwanted development? Jessica Sellick Investigates.

PEOPLE are more trusting of local than national government, but does this always translate into wanting local policy decisions? Brian Wilson finds out.

Jessica Sellick examines the national framework for the LEADER method of delivering Rural Development Programme (RDP) funding. With the requirements and expectations for the next programming period (2014 to 2020)

HOW local authorities can apply to the government’s £320m fund to help transform local services.

What does the future hold for the arts in rural areas? Jessica Sellick investigates. WHAT does the future hold for the arts in rural areas? Jessica Sellick investigates. With the

SHOULD LEPs set distinct rural or social enterprise objectives, or should they mainstream those issues through their other objectives? Brian Wilson finds out. SHOULD LEPs set distinct rural or social

The impacts of climate change and policies to adapt to climate change may have unequal repercussions, including for vulnerable groups, finds Brian Wilson. The impacts of climate change and policies

Jessica Sellick looks at the changing face of healthcare and rural patient pathways. With cottage hospitals under threat, a shortage of doctors and dentists, lack of out of hour’s services

What can we learn from ‘Big Society’ approaches to delivering rural services? Jessica Sellick investigates.

In rural areas some aspects of the public health agenda may be easier to address than others, discovers Brian Wilson. In rural areas some aspects of the public health agenda