Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Second homes, National Parks, Welsh dairy closure

New rules aimed at controlling the number of holiday lets in popular rural and coastal areas; and we look at our National Parks.

New rules aimed at controlling the number of holiday lets in popular rural and coastal areas will mean a fall in house prices, according to the Lake District National Park Authority's senior planning officer. The new powers announced earlier this year mean that planning authorities could require anyone wanting to turn their house into a holiday let to get planning permission, something which is already happening in Wales, where it's causing some controversy.

Environmentalist Ben Goldsmith argues that national parks are becoming wildlife deadzones, with overgrazing by sheep leaving the landscape barren and a monoculture of grass. This is disputed by the chair of National Parks England, Neil Heseltine, who says it's a delicate balance of working with tourism, wildlife and working farms.

A welsh cheesemaker has announced it cannot continue in its current form. The 31 farmers who supply milk to Mona Dairy on Anglesey have been reassured that an interim buyer for their milk has been found, while the dairy's owners search for new investment. Mona's 20 million pound factory opened 2 years ago, with the aim of producing cheese for export.

And we hear about two studies - in Kent and Devon - looking at the increasing number of beavers, and how they can help prevent both flooding and drought.

Presented by Charlotte Smith, produced in Bristol by Sally Challoner

25 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sat 1 Jun 202406:30

Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks

Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks

A document of the lives of rural workers in and around three English villages.

Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm

Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm

Charlotte Smith explores how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture.

Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?

Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?

Will we still be able to grow enough food as temperatures rise and rain patterns change?

Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm

Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm

A stand-up comedian, a vegan and a farmer walk into a bar.

Podcast