Breadcrumbs
Rural housing needs major shake-up, says Rural Watchdog - 19 January 2006
“Without action now, rural communities will become nothing more than exclusive enclaves for the wealthy”, said Dr Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the Countryside Agency and Rural Advocate, giving evidence to the Government’s Affordable Rural Housing Commission today.
The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has called for Government to give clear leadership and concerted action by all those involved to bring about real improvements to England’s rural housing crisis. “ The problem is now well documented”, continued Dr Burgess. “Pressure from better-off commuters, holiday and second home owners and the retired, along with restrictive planning policies, resistance to development from some quarters, and the impact of the right to buy of council housing in rural areas, means that most village property is now well beyond the reach of people on average incomes, or even above average incomes. As a result, many people, particularly the young, childless couples, the elderly, and those on low incomes, are being denied the opportunity to live in the villages in which they grew up or where they work.“
In its evidence to the Affordable Rural Housing Commission, the CRC calls for action in 4 main areas:
- Better rural proofing of housing policies at all levels
- A real increase in and targeting of resources to meet rural needs for affordable housing
- Planning policies which enable villages to grow and adapt to meet their changing economic and social circumstances
- Empowerment of local communities to have a stake in their future and to help shape their own solutions
The CRC’s evidence is informed by knowledge and expertise gained over many years` research and demonstrating solutions by the Countryside Agency and its predecessors, and, more recently, from a national Rural Housing Inquiry in which over 800 people across England were consulted through interviews, focus groups, and open fora. “In all the areas we visited we got the same message”, said Dr Burgess. “ Housing choice is not an option for many rural people who cannot afford a home near to their jobs and to their families and friends. People are being forced to move away, or to live in uncertain and entirely inadequate conditions. Those who are left have serious concerns about the impact this will have on the future sustainability of their communities.”
The CRC believes that concerted action is needed across a number of fronts to turn the situation around: first, to make sure that housing policies are adjusted to take full account of rural needs and circumstances; second, to direct more resources to meet rural housing needs; third, planning policies which recognise and support the economic and social sustainability of rural settlements, instead of effectively writing them off; and fourth, to give real support to local people to be involved in finding solutions to the problem through local surveys and community led plans, and direct action through more ambitious projects, such as Community Land Trusts, or DIY building schemes.
The CRC`s evidence contains a number of detailed recommendations aimed at government, public agencies, local authorities and the private sector, with parish councils and many independent and community organisations with an important role to play. “There is no single solution, no quick fix, but a concerted effort, led by central government, will make a real difference,” concluded Dr Burgess.
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For further information please contact Nick McClelland, Commission for Rural Communities, on 020 7932 5814 or 07900 608 045 or Joanne Ward on 07900 608 030.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Affordable Rural Housing Commission was jointly established by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defra on 20 July 2005 to identify ways of improving access to affordable housing for people in rural areas. It is chaired by Elinor Goodman.
A comprehensive report of the findings from the CRC’s Housing Inquiry will be published in March 2006. The CRC will publish further research pending on Council Tax and Second Homes in February 2006.
As set out in Defra’s Rural Strategy in July 2004, the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill, currently under consideration in Parliament, will establish the Commission for Rural Communities as an independent statutory body. Pending legislation, the Commission is operating as a distinct division of the Countryside Agency, across three main roles:
Rural advocate: the voice for rural people, businesses and communities.
Expert adviser: providing evidence-based, independent advice to government and others.
Independent watchdog: monitoring and reporting on the delivery of policies nationally, regionally and locally.
See also the website: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/
