THREE countryside agencies and 100 funding schemes are to be slashed in a radical shake-up.

English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency, and most of the Rural Development Service are to be merged into a new integrated agency, and 100 separate rural, agricultural and environmental funding schemes are to be cut to just three main funding programmes.

Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the reorganisation in the House of Commons and also announced the creation of a new Countryside Agency by April next year.

She said it would provide a strong voice for rural people and communities, particularly the disadvantaged. It would look for solutions to their problems and monitor and report on progress, providing strong and impartial advice to Government.

The Regional Development Agencies are to have a bigger role and free hand to decide on, and fund, their area's economic regeneration by April next year.

"I shall not impose a single structural form - I want to encourage simplification and streamlining, so that regional delivery partners are set free to focus on doing, not talking," said Mrs Beckett, who is increasing their funding from £45m to £72m next year.

Business Links will also receive an extra £2m to help small rural businesses.

Mrs Beckett plans to give the RDAs control over economic and social funding from the England Rural Development Programme from 2007.

The new rural strategy also includes opening up access to mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land, region by region, between this September and the end of 2005.

Owners will be encouraged to dedicate other land for public access, including the Forestry Commission freehold estate.

Rights of way improvement plans will be integrated into local transport plans in 2005 and the new countryside code promoted through the Countryside Agency and integrated agency.

Mrs Beckett said the Rural Payments Agency would continue to pay subsidies to farmers under the single farm payment scheme.

Margaret Fay, chairman of regional development agency One NorthEast, welcomed the agency's greater say in rural matters.

"We already have a track record in rural delivery with some successful projects in place," she said. "This announcement will mean we can now build on these to provide a better deal for all who live and work in rural areas."

One NorthEast has embarked on a £10m broadband link for rural areas which will see every community in the region hooked up to broadband by spring 2005. Working with Tynedale Council and the Forestry Commission, it has also enabled Kielder, the UK's most remote village, to develop the country's first wood-fuelled district heating scheme.

Mrs Fay said the RDA was already creating its own dedicated rural team and was looking forward to taking on a greater role in the countryside.

However, Mark Hudson, president of the Country Land and Business Association, had mixed feelings about Mrs Beckett's announcement.

He welcomed its commitment to social and economic regeneration, but felt the Rural Strategy document was at odds with Mrs Beckett's priorities.

She correctly recognised that sustainable development had three pillars: economic, social and environmental. "Rural policies need to take account of all three, but the strategy does not reflect this," said Mr Hudson.

"RDAs will be charged with economic support and the new integrated agency has no social and economic remit. Expecting economic benefits to flow automatically from environmental regulation is nave; on the contrary, environmental stewardship depends upon an economic use for land and buildings.

"Mrs Beckett said that 'farming remains at the heart of rural society' - we agree! But the strategy report neglects to recognise that agriculture generates jobs and incomes and produces food."

Tim Bennett, president of the National Farmers' Union, welcomed the new integrated agency which, he said, offered the chance of a more co-ordinated approach to land management policies. It gave the NFU the opportunity to work closely with Government on the detail of its remit and working practices.

"We expect farmers to be key customers of the agency and to be represented on its new council," he said.

Mr Bennett also welcomed the RDAs taking over rural development grants. "We have had a good working relationship with the RDAs but believe this relationship must be strengthened," he said. "Agriculture and rural concerns must be the priority in developing regional policy."