The crucial importance of affordable housing in the rural areas of Wales has today been highlighted by NFU Cymru.
Dai Davies, President of NFU Cymru said, "Nobody can deny the fact that affordable housing in rural areas is absolutely central to the economic well-being of those areas. Agriculture and rural industries are constantly being urged to diversify and expand, but if we are to grow and expand we must make provision to house the employees necessary to service and progress this expansion. This, however, requires local planning authorities to adopt a far more helpful and progressive attitude towards developments in our countryside. Far too often the impression that is given is that local planning authorities are there to deny any such developments!"
Mr Davies continued, "Affordable housing in the rural areas of Wales is equally important if we are to retain our young people within Wales. For far too long we have witnessed the inexorable drift of our young people away from our rural areas with the resultant loss of skills, expertise and vibrancy.
"If rural Wales is to be truly 'sustainable' then we must provide suitable affordable housing to enable these young people to not only stay in rural Wales, but to contribute to the growth of indigenous business and rural communities.
"This housing accountability will be equally important to young people who, having left rural Wales in the past, are now looking to return, often with young families which may well assist rural schools."
Mr Davies concluded, "Finally of course, affordable housing and the link with young people, is vital to the future of the Welsh language in our rural areas. We need our rural areas to be economically viable and attractive and affordable for future generations, and that would be a huge step forward in safeguarding the future of the Welsh language."
