Title: Blots, bovines, buildings, businesses and brands: monitoring the landscape of rural assets

Authors: Anne M.J. Smith

Addresses: Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G3 OBA, UK

Abstract: This longitudinal study monitors changes in the rural landscape of Scotland, and focuses on the impacts of developments on land use, buildings and businesses. It integrates planning policy with data from rural and agricultural reports. The research findings support contemporaneous literature on migration and show reductions in farm operations based on |change of use| planning applications. A number of examples of planning applications are presented. Overall, the findings suggest shifts in the balance sheet of rural assets with upwards trends in asset conversion. The findings do not provide evidence of strong connectivity with innovative activity and new firm formation appears rather localised.

Keywords: land-based enterprise; rural economy; migration; rural assets; business development; Scotland; UK; United Kingdom; rural entrepreneurship; land use; buildings; planning applications; change of use.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2008.019137

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2008 Vol.6 No.3, pp.437 - 449

Published online: 30 Jun 2008 *

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