A RURAL strategy for the Test Valley moved a step nearer on Wednesday when the borough council's corporate and economic over-view and scrutiny committee approved its adoption.

The aim of the strategy is to provide a comprehensive approach by the council to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of the area.

While two thirds of the borough's 112,000 population lives in the urban areas of Romsey, Andover and Baddesley, less than five per cent of Test Valley's 245 square mile area is built up.

It means than more than 30 per cent of the population lives in rural areas - compared to only 10 per cent nationally. Despite the strategy's broad range of content the three-month consultation period has only brought 25 responses.

In his report economic development officer David Gleave hit on one reason for the lack of response from the parish councils.

"Possibly in respect to parish councils, which were an important audience for the strategy, the response may reflect their difficulty in simply addressing the current volume of consultation," he says.

The cost of designing and printing the strategy is estimated at £3,500 and it was prompted when Abbott's Ann sought financial help for a new village shop and it was evident that a strategy would be a useful tool.

"The preparation of a rural strategy is important to a borough which is predominantly rural in character," adds Mr Gleave in his report.

"It is also timely because of the current changes facing the farming industry, the continuing loss of rural facilities and the Government's agenda, described in the rural white paper.

"The council can act to lead and initiate new projects - however, many other organisations, large and small, statutory and voluntary have an important role to play in providing services to our rural community and shaping its character."