Assess the view that counter-urbanisation has had more positive than negative impacts on UK rural areas

Question (8 marks + 4 SPaG = 12 marks): ‘Counter-urbanisation has had more positive than negative impacts on rural areas of the UK.’ Assess this statement. (8 marks + 4 SPaG)

Mark scheme (AO3 evaluation, levels-based):

• Level 3 (6–8 marks): Detailed, balanced assessment with named examples and a justified conclusion. Positives: population growth in commuter villages (St Ives, Bramhall), rejuvenation of village schools, support for local services, business rate income. Negatives: rural housing crisis with average prices >£450k pricing out locals; gentrification reducing community cohesion; loss of farmland to housing; pressure on rural roads and primary schools; second-home effect in Cornwall (>25% in some wards). Conclusion explicitly judges the statement, e.g. positives dominate in accessible commuter belts, negatives dominate in honeypot/coastal areas.
• Level 2 (3–5): Some assessment with limited evidence; conclusion present but not fully justified.
• Level 1 (1–2): Mostly descriptive; little evaluation.
• 0: No relevant content.
• SPaG (4 marks): Up to 4 marks for accurate spelling/punctuation, wide range of specialist terminology (counter-urbanisation, gentrification, suburbanisation, NIMBY) and well-structured writing.