Determine opportunities for integrated rural land use and enterprise

The standard is aimed at those who are responsible for managing rural activities such as agriculture, horticulture, gamekeeping, wildlife conservation, forestry or fisheries.

When determining opportunities for integrated rural land use and enterprise you must consider the impact it will have on the environment, and work towards preserving and improving habitats and biodiversity and responding to and mitigating the effects of climate change.

In this standard, the term “land” use also includes water.

1. research and assess opportunities for integrated rural land use and enterprise, taking into account key factors 
2. identify the synergies and conflicts between different rural land uses and enterprise opportunities
3. investigate ways in which different land uses and rural enterprises could be integrated to maximise opportunities
4. research infrastructure requirements for different land uses and rural enterprise opportunities
5. look at best practice and examples of what has already been achieved in the sector
6. investigate opportunities for products or services that could be provided by a rural enterprise
7. establish whether there is a market for the proposed products or services from a rural enterprise
8. investigate opportunities to make sustainable use of available natural resources and utilise waste and by-products 
9. investigate opportunities for renewable energy 
10. investigate opportunities for the use of new technology
11. investigate opportunities for grants, subsidies or other forms of funding or assistance 
12. seek specialist advice where required
13. determine viable options for integrated rural land use and enterprise opportunities that would complement existing activities
14. determine the resources necessary to support the successful implementation of viable options for integrated rural land use and enterprise opportunities
15. confirm that options meet the requirements of the relevant national legislation and local regulations
16. confirm that options meet the relevant requirements for environmental conservation and biodiversity, and are sustainable

1. how to research and assess opportunities for integrated rural land use and enterprise, and the key factors that should be taken into account 
2. the relevant land use systems 
3. how different rural land uses can work together and maximise opportunities
4. how it may be possible to manage conflicts between different rural land uses
5. what infrastructure requirements there would be for different rural land uses and enterprises
6. where to find information on best environmental and business practice and examples of what others have achieved
7. the importance of identifying or establishing a market for any products or services from the rural enterprise
8. the different types of renewable energy and the requirements for their production
9. how new technology could assist with making the best and most sustainable use of land and rural enterprise opportunities
10. where to find information on grants, subsidies or other forms of funding or assistance that might be available
11. where to obtain professional advice and guidance, and what type of advice is available
12. what should be considered when determining viable options for rural land use and enterprise opportunities
13. how to determine the resources necessary, where they can be obtained and at what cost
14. the requirements of the relevant national legislation and local regulations controlling rural land use and enterprise 
15. the actions that can be taken to preserve and improve habitats and biodiversity, and respond to and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Key factors: physical (geographic location, climate, geology); natural resources; environmental; ecological; current use; other activities in the area; public access and rights of way; designations; legislation; local, regional and national policies; social, cultural, aesthetic and economic; sustainability, carbon sequestration, enhancing biodiversity and managing land sustainably.

Land use: also includes water use

Renewable energy: wind, hydro, solar, biomass, anaerobic digestion, etc

Resources: energy, finance, facilities, services, supplies, equipment, people and natural resources, including soils, water bodies, plants, woodlands, grasslands, moorlands, etc