Rural Change - Mrs G

• To be able to identify and describe some of the social and economic issues associated with population growth in rural areas in the UK

• To be able to identify and describe some of the social and economic issues associated with population decline in rural areas in the UK

• South Cambridgeshire is a mainly rural area surrounding the city of Cambridge

• The population of 150,000 is increasing because of migration into the area

• Migrants have mainly come from the city of Cambridge and other areas of the UK such as London (only 53 minute train journey – an easy commute)

• In recent years there have also been migrants arriving from Eastern Europe to work in the farms around Cambridge

• Large numbers of highly-skilled and educated people have moved into the area

• High level of employment

• Around 21% of the workforce is employed in high-tech industries – computer software and engineering manufacture

• Cambridge Science Park – the oldest science park in the UK is associated with the University of Cambridge and is home to many science and technology industries

Known as ‘Silicon Fen’ – UK equivalent of ‘Silicon Valley’ in California

• People moving into the area has pushed up house prices.

• High house prices means young people who have grown up in Cambridge cannot afford to live there and move away from the area

• Modern developments on the edge of villages can lead to protests from local residents and a breakdown in community spirit

• 80% car ownership means more traffic on narrow country roads

• High car ownership reduces the demand for public transport and this can lead to cuts – leaving older and poorer people with out good transport options

• Commuters tend to shop and use services in the places where they work e.g. Cambridge or London. This can have a negative effect on the rural economy where village shops can struggle to make a decent living.

• Farmers often sell their land for housing development. This can lead to a reduction in agricultural jobs although it might mean a short term increase in construction jobs.

• There is a general lack of affordable housing

• This area has some of the highest petrol prices in the country due to the high demand

• Increasing numbers of poor migrants from Eastern Europe can put pressure on services such as local schools and hospitals. This can increase costs and lead to an increase in racist incidents.

• Increasing numbers of retired people moving in (over 65s) can put pressure on services such as GPs and hospitals. This can increase costs for local NHS trusts.

• The UK and Scottish governments provide subsidies towards the costs of operating ferries from the mainland out to the islands

• It is a struggle to maintain essential services and many, such as post offices, are closing

• In 1948 there were more than 900 fishing boats operating in the Outer Hebrides. By 2013 there were just a few boats catching prawns and lobsters.

• Between 2007 and 2014 there was a 27% increase in visitors to the islands. The current infrastructure however is unable to support the number of tourists that would be needed to provide an alternative source of income

• Local people can form co-operatives to provide services – for example community shops have been set up on the islands of Uig and Harris in the Outer Hebrides

• Local councils in the Hebrides have set up a campaign ‘Our Islands – Our Future’ to campaign for local management of the development of resources such as renewable energy, oil and gas and fisheries.

• The Scottish government has set up the Rural Stewardship Scheme to provide assistance to farmers to follow environmentally friendly policies

• The EU can fund more deprived rural regions from the European Regional Development Fund – but only up to the point when the UK leaves the European Union.

Contrast the economic challenges associated with rural areas of population growth and decline (6 marks)

• Lack of affordable housing

• Reduction in agricultural employment

• Pressure on services like hospitals and schools as more people move into the area – difficult to get GP appointments

• House prices are low

• There are few jobs in the area

• The current infrastructure – roads, ferry and air links are insufficient to support the development of large scale tourism

• Schools and healthcare facilities are likely to close as population numbers drop – people will need to travel further to visit a doctor or hospital