Government unveils plans for affordable rural housing to rent or buy

Government unveils plans for affordable rural housing to rent or buy

0:02 AM, 7th June 2023, About 2 years ago 2

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In an effort to increase the availability of affordable housing for rent or purchase in rural regions, the government has announced plans to establish a network of ‘Rural Housing Enablers’.

These enablers, backed by £2.5 million in funding, will serve as intermediaries between developers and communities, assisting with site identification that has local support and aligns with the region’s character.

The government also says it will consult on simplifying the process for farmers to convert their unused agricultural buildings into family homes by reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

Proposed changes to planning regulations may include a more streamlined process, along with granting local authorities new powers to protect against second homes and holiday rentals.

‘Local people to reap the rewards of homeownership’

Michael Gove, the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “We want more local people to reap the rewards of homeownership while maintaining the special character of our beautiful landscapes.

“We will be unlocking a new pipeline of rural housing as we continue to reform our planning system and offering greater freedoms on farm buildings to support a new supply of affordable homes and businesses.”

He added: “Our commitment to build more affordable homes is why we are investing £11.5 billion over five years in our Affordable Homes Programme.”

Government’s broader initiative to boost the rural economy

The plans are part of the government’s broader initiative to boost the rural economy which will see remote communities and businesses benefit from enhanced wireless network access.

There’s a ground-breaking £7 million fund to explore novel methods of integrating satellite, wireless and fixed-line internet connectivity.

This pioneering approach aims to provide farmers and tourism businesses with ultra-fast, dependable connectivity in isolated regions for the first time ever.

The cash complements the government’s pledge earlier this year to deliver enhanced, high-speed broadband via satellite connectivity to up to 35,000 homes and businesses in the remotest corners of the UK.

Through an £8 million grant scheme, these areas will receive broadband connections up to ten times faster than their current speeds.


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Paul Essex

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13:04 PM, 7th June 2023, About 2 years ago

It would be lovely if Local People had access. In my town the affordable housing was swept up by the council from a nearby town and now houses their undesirables.

Reluctant Landlord

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16:56 PM, 7th June 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 07/06/2023 - 13:04
just like school places, anyone can apply so 'locals' don't get priority. All about 'fair access for all' (my tongue very much in my cheek)

If your council allowed another local council to house people off its list then it's either because there were no people to fit the criteria put forward from your own council area/ or the properties were not properly 'affordable' (were too expensive and no one on existing housing list/local workers could afford them), or there was a brown envelope delivered to one of your councillors from a neighbouring one.... 😉

If the neighbouring council have got the accommodation and are housing 'vulnerable' or those needing supported accommodation then due to the higher costs the council can recoup from government, they would meet the 'affordable' rent requirement so rather than leave the properties empty.....

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