Affordable homes from disused farm buildings - Nick Clegg MP

Liberal Democrat leadership contender Nick Clegg MP today unveiled radical new plans for solving the affordable housing crisis in rural areas across Britain. Nick Clegg's 'Home on the Farm' scheme would reform VAT rules and planning systems to make it affordable for farm owners to repair old buildings, providing low-priced housing for local people and allowing farmers to diversify.

Recent Government research * has shown that 11,000 new homes could be provided by converting vacant buildings in rural areas. Another 50,000 - currently classed as derelict -could provide further affordable housing for rural families.

Speaking from Westmoreland and Lonsdale, Cumbria, Nick Clegg said –

"The lack of affordable housing is one of the most pressing concerns for rural areas across the country. Cumbria is a prime example of how these areas have become the victim of Labour's failure to provide enough affordable homes.

"Our plans could also ensure that the first house converted on any farm could be 'agriculturally tied' so that the farmer's son or daughter could continue the family farm. It's a sad situation when the next generation cannot continue the family business for lack of suitable housing for their own families.

"By making the planning system more flexible we can free up thousands of farm buildings, having a real impact on rural areas by satisfying local demand and helping keep prices realistic for local people . The scheme will have the bonus of providing an opportunity for farmers to diversify and supplement their incomes."