Questions whether the government backed practice of converting rural buildings for business use aids sustainable development or rather simply encourages reverse commuting at the expense of rural jobs for local people. Asks also how the reuse of rural premises fits in with government policy seeking to concentrate development in settlements to reduce greenfield site development. Looks at the history of rural conversion up to the 2004 publication of "Planning Policy Statement 7: sustainable development in rural areas". Reviews "The characteristics of businesses using rural buildings and the sustainability of such developments in relation to location and traffic movement" (L128064) and considers whether or not building more business premises in rural and market towns would be more sustainable than rural conversion. Concludes that the evidence does not support government rural conversions policy. References.