MORETONHAMPSTEAD is the venue for a public meeting aimed at encouraging residents to have their say on a new policy framework for the rural economy.
South Devon farmer Richard Haddock is spearheading the drive by the Conservative Rural Affairs Group of which he is chairman.
The group has launched a consultation and will be holding an open meeting at the White Hart Hotel in Moretonhampstead on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Mr Haddock believes it will have crucial importance as farming, conservation and economic policies are redrawn in the wake of the Brexit vote.
He said: ‘We have an unparalleled chance to get in on the ground floor and make our representations to ministers as the countryside undergoes the biggest upheaval in four decades.’
Crag officials hold regular briefing sessions with ministers to update them on how Government policies are affecting those living in the countryside.
But, said Mr Haddock: ‘With Brussels pulling the strings on so many policies very often ministers have had only very limited powers to influence the way regulations are implemented, or to tailor them to local needs.
‘That’s all about to change as we untangle ourselves from Brussels and start work on a new blueprint for the British countryside.’
Mr Haddock, a farmer and farm shop owner from Churston, said thousands of families were desperate to see the inequalities between life in towns and cities and country living ironed out.
He explained: ‘Just because people choose or need to work in the countryside it doesn’t necessarily follow that they should have to put up with inferior levels of service, whether in education, transport and transport infrastructure, or communications technology.
‘These are areas all crying out for improvements.
‘We are canvassing vigorously before putting detailed proposals before ministers and with the excuse that their hands are tied no longer available to them we shall be looking to ministers to respond in constructive, positive ways.’