Supply of new affordable homes across the countryside has remained 'static' as local authorities continue to 'ignore' the potential of Rural Exception Sites, the rural sector has warned.
Rural organisation CLA, which represents rural interests, says government data published on Thursday (12 January) shows that only 1,020 affordable properties were built in England on Rural Exception Sites over the past year, exposing a three-year low and highlighting the need for fresh ideas to solve the acute shortage of rural housing.
Rural Exception Sites are a key means of providing affordable homes in rural areas.
They are small patches of agricultural land outside a village boundary that would not otherwise get planning permission for housing.
Under the scheme, a landowner provides land at below market value on the basis the land is used to build affordable homes for local people.
'Three-year low in building rates'
CLA President Ross Murray said the core planning principle in the National Planning Policy Framework is the aim to support 'thriving' rural communities.
He said: “These latest figures clearly demonstrate this is not being achieved. Rural Exception Sites are designed to provide much needed affordable homes for the local community in perpetuity and should be used to their maximum potential.
“A three-year low in building rates is bad news for rural communities struggling with the cost of housing but unsurprising when coupled with the uncertainty caused by the Housing and Planning Act and the Government’s extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.
“The figures also highlight large discrepancies between how local authorities are using Rural Exception Sites. Housing need is widespread but Cornwall Council has provided nearly one fifth of all affordable housing on these sites over the past five years while others have provided none at all.”
'Untapped resource'
Mr Murray added the capacity of landowners to help develop the homes rural communities need is an untapped resource and that CLA proposals to increase supply carry little or no actual cost to the taxpayer.
He said: “Landowners have strong multi-generational ties to their communities and are often local employers.
“They wish to sustain that community for future generations, and long-term investment in affordable housing is an excellent way of doing this. However, there is not enough proactive engagement by local councils with landowners or incentives to bring sites forward.”
To help increase the supply of affordable homes across the countryside the CLA called on the Government to introduce Permitted Development Rights to build affordable homes to rent on Rural Exception Sites.
Rural landowners have provided land for 8520 affordable houses on rural exception sites since 2010. To encourage more, the Government has been urged to introduce Permitted Development Rights for constructing affordable housing for rent on these sites to speed up delivery and reduce the 'significant and often disproportionate' upfront development costs.
