Ruth Reed, director of Green Planning Studio, has just had her latest book launched. The book: “Building in Arcadia: The case for well designed rural development” identifies key barriers to rural development, and how planning applicants (whether householders, developers and landowners), and most particularly their agents who make the applications (architects, landscape architects or planners) can address, and overcome, them.

Building in Arcadia: The case for well designed rural development

The book focuses on the positive aesthetic role buildings can play in the landscape, and proposes sensitive development. Building in Arcadia also explores the essential economic, social and environmental case for more building in the countryside to make the countryside more viable. It aims to actively engage, challenge and provoke debate – as well as offering practical ways forward.

Featuring on the cover of the book is Lovedon Fields – a worked example of the Rural Development Assessment. that secured the strategic gap with a strong village edge and a beautiful meadow

Lancaster Cohousing one of the case studies of different ways of living in rural areas featured in the book

The Wintles, Bishops Castle is another case study. The Wintles is an early eco scheme nestled by the Shropshire Hills AONB now settling into its landscape with shared allotments and Public Open Space