Some good news to help fight the rural housing crisis

Rural Action Derbyshire has declared that there is a crisis in the availability of affordable housing in rural areas.  Whilst 17% of development in urban areas is considered affordable, only 9% of development in villages is affordable.  

A statement said that the apparent inequality was stifling economic growth in rural areas and undermining the social fabric of many communities.  

Rural Action Derbyshire (RAD) has received a new package of government funding to begin a new project to help communities in Derbyshire unlock affordable housing opportunities in rural areas.

The project aims to transform rural villages through the provision of well designed, affordable rented homes which are only available only to people with local connections, which means that people can live where they want to live, whether to be close to family, for work or because they are rooted in their community.

The statement added: "These schemes do far more than provide homes for local people.  They invigorate the local economy, provide essential key workers in schools, care homes and a local workforce for rural businesses in shops, pubs, farms, and tourist attractions."

"For many villages, Rural Exception Sites are the only form of residential development allowed under local planning rules to meet the needs of local residents.   Some villages have produced a Neighbourhood Plan and identified suitable sites.  Others may not have considered what their local housing needs are.  

Irrespective, RAD’s Rural Housing Enablement team is helping to deliver the Government’s goal of increasing the supply of affordable homes in rural areas, set out in their 2023 Unleashing Rural Opportunity strategy and will be working with Midlands Rural Housing (MRH) to organise a series of events over the next 6 months. 

Parish Councils, community groups and landowners will be able to find out how they can work with RAD to identify local housing needs and suitable sites for the development of affordable homes in rural areas.

Beverley Parker, CEO at Rural Action Derbyshire said: “We are pleased that Defra has made funds available to address the shortage of affordable homes in rural areas. Young families and older people often find that they cannot afford homes in the village where they have spent most of their lives. Building more affordable homes in rural areas for local people helps make communities stronger and more sustainable. We are looking forward to working with Midlands Rural Housing to help bring forward new schemes in Derbyshire.”

If you want to know more, register your interest by emailing info @ ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk or visit the RAD website to sign up for Rural Housing News to receive newsletters and information about events. 

RAD is keen to identify rural communities around Derbyshire to work with on affordable housing needs and identifying potential Rural Exception Sights.