Rural Solutions Ltd

20/10/2026

Diversification has changed. Has the way we think about it kept up?

We were delighted to see our Director, Sally Ormiston, sharing her thoughts in Farmers Weekly on the changing role of diversification in rural businesses.

For many farms and estates, diversification is no longer simply about finding an additional source of income. It's about creating resilient businesses that can adapt to changing markets, pressures and opportunities.

But where should you start?

As Sally explores in her article, the starting point shouldn't necessarily be the diversification idea itself, but understanding what you want your business to achieve.

From farm shops and holiday accommodation to renewable energy and flexible workspaces, the opportunities are varied. The challenge is identifying what makes sense for your business, your land and your long-term ambitions.

And importantly, understanding what's realistic to deliver.

It's a subject we're having more conversations about with rural landowners and businesses, and one that's becoming increasingly important for the future of our countryside.

Have you read Sally's article?

Find Diversification has changed – so must the way we think about it in Farmers Weekly, or read it online via the link in the comments.

15/10/2026

A new book in the Rural Solutions library

Our Director of Planning, Duncan Hartley, at Somerset House in London last week for the launch of The Romance of Classicism – Designing the English Country House for Today by architect George Saumarez Smith.

The new book explores the authors influences, career and approach to designing the English country house for today.

Having previously worked alongside George, Duncan shared his thoughts:

“I had the greatest pleasure working with George at Adam Architecture in finding a creative and highly sympathetic way to secure the future of Tottenham House, Wiltshire. George has that very rare gift of creating exceptional quality from a blank page.”

Thanks to George and the ADAM Architecture team for a great evening.

08/10/2026

The best ideas grow from understanding a place.

That’s why we spend so much time getting to know the landscapes, communities and people behind every project we work on.

It’s a mindset that influences everything we do; from major planning strategies to the little things around the office 🪴

05/10/2026

What role can architecture play in delivering the homes our rural communities need?

This year's World Architecture Day theme, 'Housing is a Human Right. Build It.', puts the spotlight on the importance of access to adequate housing and the role of architecture in meeting that need.

For rural communities, it's a particularly relevant conversation. Many rural communities face a shortage of the types of homes that allow people to stay, work and build their lives locally, but housing in the countryside can be controversial. Delivering rural homes goes beyond the design of houses and good development must consider the whole place and how new homes interact with existing vernaculars and landscapes so we can deliver the homes rural places need in a way that doesn’t compromise what makes these places special and valued.

Recent changes to planning policy could create new opportunities for rural housebuilding, but it's not simply about building more homes. Thoughtful design – of houses, landscapes, services and places is essential to ensuring new development responds to its surroundings and meets the needs of the communities it serves.

In our article, our Director of Planning, James Ellis, explores how the new National Planning Policy Framework could help unlock rural housing opportunities, from smaller village developments to individual homes.

Read A boost to rural housebuilding: https://ruralsolutions.co.uk/news-and-insights/a-boost-to-rural-housebuilding/

02/10/2026

A little look back at our RSL Summer Social last week ☀️

We brought Team RSL together in Skipton for some well-earned time away from our desks, starting with lunch at the office before heading over to Broughton Sanctuary for an afternoon of yoga, spa time, walks and a chance to simply relax and catch up.

Then it was on to Community Sports Hub for a BBQ, drinks and an evening together.

With colleagues working across different teams and locations, days like these are a great opportunity to get everyone in the same place – with considerably less talk about planning applications, projects and deadlines!

Thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a good day. 💚

01/10/2026

Long-term thinking is not new for rural estates, but the scale of the ‘day job’ involved in running an estate means that putting pen to paper and setting out a long-term plan doesn’t always follow.

With an ever-changing landscape of pressures to respond to and opportunities ahead, long term planning is perhaps more important than ever for estate’s looking at their future resilience.

Creating a Whole Estate Plan, estate scale strategy or masterplan is an effective tool when considering what the long-term vision is, and how to utilise estate activities and assets to achieve it.

An estate plan sets out a future vision and identifies the role development could play in supporting long-term viability. It can also be a powerful tool for creating consensus around shared ambitions and communicating with stakeholders.

In our article, Director Sally Ormiston, explores the growing role of estate plans and how strategic thinking can help estates prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Read the full article via the link in the comments.

24/09/2026

A good idea on paper isn't always the right idea for you, your family or your estate.

When it comes to rural estate diversification, success starts with understanding what matters to the people and place behind it.

For many rural businesses, decisions aren't purely financial. Family, legacy, landscape, heritage, community and long-term responsibilities all have a part to play.

That's why the first principle in our approach to rural diversification is rooted in identifying what matters most.

Before asking "What could we do?", it's worth asking:
"What is right for this place?"

Getting that clear from the beginning means time and investment isn’t spent pursuing an opportunity that never quite fits.

Rooted. Relevant. Ready.

Our three principles for approaching rural diversification.

Read more about our approach via the link in the comments.

Image credit:
1) Carden Laithe
4) Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn
5) The Nest Glamping

23/09/2026

Missed our Rural Roundup webinar? The recording is now live.

Last week, our team explored what planning reform and in particular the new National Planning Policy Framework (NNPF) could mean in practice for rural development and where the changes could create new opportunities.

We covered:
• New planning routes and locations for rural housing
• Stronger policy support for farming, diversification and rural businesses
• What the changes mean for protected landscapes and heritage
• Why previously discounted sites, schemes or ideas could now be worth another look

If you couldn’t join us live – or want to revisit any of the discussion – you can now watch A Rural Roundup: Planning Reform and the New NPPF in full.

Watch the recording via the link in the comments.

We unlock the potential hidden in rural land & property assets through rural planning and business diversification.