Rural issues on RICS agenda

Jun 17 2009 by Iain Laing, The Journal

KEY players from both the public and private sectors are set to gather in Hexham for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Rural Conference today on issues affecting the rural marketplace.

The event at Hexham Auction Mart will cover topics such as energy, the environment and sustainability, looking in particular at wind farms and anaerobic digestion. Delegates will also receive an update on the agricultural economy and accountant tax issues, as well as legal and planning matters and valuation of agricultural and rural property.

Chaired by David Coulson senior partner at Broadley & Coulson Chartered Surveyors, RICS Rural Faculty board member and RICS North East spokesperson on rural affairs, the event is aimed at those working within the rural property sector across the North East with expert advice from the region’s most respected and experienced industry professionals.

Mr Coulson said: “Climate change, energy supply and food security are now very real issues affecting not only those who live and work in the countryside, but also the UK population at large. This year’s conference will look in detail at wind farms and anaerobic digestion – both of which present exciting opportunities for farmers to harness their land and business to produce energy.

“We’ll also look at some of the wider issues associated with sustainability and environmental management. The RICS Rural Conference will serve to give some real urgency in addressing these and many other points.”

For more details of the event which runs from 9am until 5:00pm, contact RICS North East Events Coordinator Sue Doberman on (0191) 221-0359 or email sdoberman@rics.org.