Affordable rural housing
December 2007 Update
Welcome to the Affordable Rural Housing web pages. These pages are managed jointly by:
In 2006 the Affordable Rural Housing Commission (ARHC) presented its final report to Government. On the basis of evidence collected the report offered a range of practical recommendations for Government and others on ways to improve access to affordable housing for those who live and work in rural areas.
Government response to ARHC recommendations
Some of the ARHCs recommendations challenged existing practice, others offered solutions that went with the flow of Government thinking. Many of the solutions recommended fell within the context of a range of ongoing mainstream interventions. Principally these included: changes to the planning system, upcoming resourcing decisions through the Comprehensive Spending Review and support to build capacity and awareness at local and regional levels.
Ministers took the view that a formal point-by-point response would provide little more than a quickly dated snapshot within the context of this dynamic scenario. Instead Defra and Communities and Local Government have developed this on-going web based progress report to keep stakeholders up to date with developments. This web site will be updated every 3 months.
From here you will be able to see how the Government is addressing the need for affordable housing in rural areas; how others are implementing policy and some of the report's recommendations; and we hope take up opportunities to influence future policy development, nationally, regionally and locally.
Want to receive regular updates whenever this site is updated?
The Affordable Rural Housing web site is updated every three months. If you would like to receive an email update when new material is added please email Rural.Communities@defra.gsi.gov.uk with your name, email address and organisation.
What's New since July 2007 update?
Taylor Review - Call for evidence (December 2007)
- Matthew Taylor has issued a call for evidence, designed to gather stakeholder's opinions, to inform his review and help formulate proposals for action for how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. Matthew Taylor is seeking views and proposals from a wide range of people and organisations - such as regional and local government, parish councils, housing and planning professionals, social and private housing developers, land owners, rural businesses, rural communities and others with an interest in this work. Submissions should be returned to the review secretariat by 7th March 2008.
For more information, and to download the call for evidence document, see: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/planning/planningpolicyimplementation/reformplanningsystem/matthewtaylorreview/ - On 9 October, Yvette Cooper announced plans to legislate for a new statutory planning charge in the forthcoming planning reform Bill. More details at http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/corporate/planningreform
- Views still being sought on new approaches to affordable rural housing. On 21 August, the Housing Corporation requested views on how best to support the delivery of new affordable homes in rural areas by 13 November 2007. For details on how to submit comments go to: http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.11830
Contents
These pages are structured to mirror the ARHC
report's chapters, and addresses the themes raised in each chapter.
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PPS3 and related national guidance
PPS3 Housing
Strategic housing market assessments
Planning obligations
Planning
Gain Supplement
Sustainability appraisals
National Housing & Planning Advice Unit
Local Area Agreements
Code for sustainable homes
Housing Corporation - Rural Strategy
National Parks
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Public Finance
Low cost home ownership
Rural Housing Advisory Group
Perpetuity
Shared Ownership and Leasehold Enfranchisement consultation
Financial Incentives
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Privately owned sites
Church Land/Charitable Bodies
Publicly
owned sites
Alternative
approaches
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Use of existing homes
Supporting people
Second homes
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Housing Corporation Feasbility Study
Training and support
Planning Delivery Grant
Rural Excellence Programme
Rural Excellence Learning Opportunity
Rural Housing Enablers
Key Facts
New affordable rural housing: 2005/06
New affordable rural housing: 1997/98
- 2005/06
Glossary 
(114 KB)
Key documents referred to on the site
Page last
modified: 19 December 2007
Page published: 20 September 2006