A Sustainable Development Framework for a Landscape of Dispersed Historic Settlement

The purpose of the paper is to determine whether dispersed historic settlement can accommodate sustainable rural communities. While the main focus is on rural planning policies in England, there are references to sustainable development policies in areas of dispersed settlement in selected European countries. Some of the inherent contradictions inherent in the recent move towards fostering sustainable rural communities in UK planning practice are explored. Dispersed historic settlement as a cultural phenomenon worthy of protection and enhancement is reflected upon. Prospects for enhancing rural planning policies in the UK are explored and a framework is outlined for identifying criteria for sustainable rural communities that might inform rural planning policies, with particular reference to dispersed historic settlement. Pointers are offered towards improving rural planning policies in the UK.