Joint news release issued on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and the National Housing Federation

The National Housing Federation [1] and the Campaign to Protect Rural England [2] (CPRE), two bodies often seen as being on opposite sides of the housing debate, will unite to warn that future generations will be priced out of the countryside unless the Government addresses our chronic shortage of affordable rural homes.

At the Federation's Rural Housing Conference on Wednesday the two organisations will highlight their concerns over lack of action by the Government since the publication of Elinor Goodman's landmark Affordable Rural Housing Commission (ARHC) report last year.

It is now eight months since the Commission, chaired by Ms Goodman, gave a blueprint for addressing the rural homes shortage. CPRE and the Federation are calling on the Government immediately to set a timetable for implementing the Commission's recommendations.

These include:

• restricting the Right to Buy in rural areas of acute housing pressure;
• bringing forward previously developed public land for affordable housing. Almost half of all surplus public sector land is in rural districts, yet no action has been taken to move forward on the ARHC report's recommendation;
• reduce empty properties in rural areas. It still costs more in VAT to refurbish an existing empty property than it does to build a new home.

The affordability gap is having a devastating impact on rural communities, causing misery for people like Judith Burchall, a resident of Thirlmere in the Lake District National Park. When her landlord attempted to double her rent she felt under pressure to move out. She didn't want to leave her community but homes in the area were completely unaffordable. Thankfully, local housing association Impact Housing was able to provide her with a brand new home for affordable rent. (For full case study see editors' notes.)

Speaking at the conference, David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, will say:
"Eight months have passed since the Affordable Rural Housing Commission gave us a blueprint for addressing the rural housing crisis. What change have we seen since then? Precious little. We've had some of the reforms to the planning system called for by the report, but the Commission also made a raft of other practical recommendations that have so far been ignored by the Government.

"The Government can't afford to drag its heels while so many people in our rural communities are denied access to an affordable home. Urgent action is needed. Without it, many of our rural communities will become the preserve of the rich: dormitories for commuters and second home owners."

Neil Sinden, director of policy at Campaign to Protect Rural England, will say:
"The Commission was clear that the value of the countryside and the distinctive characteristics of rural communities mean that tailored solutions are required to meet their housing needs. Beyond some welcome new planning policies, so far we have seen little effective action by Government to encourage the delivery of more affordable rural housing. We urge Ministers to re-engage with this issue and demonstrate their commitment to redressing the serious shortfall of affordable homes in rural settlements while protecting the countryside."

CPRE, which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England, and the National Housing Federation, which represents 1400 housing associations in England have produced a joint charter: "Protect Rural England: Build an Affordable Home". It sets out practical recommendations to address the rural homes crisis in the absence of any Government timetable on ARHC.

ENDS

CASE STUDY

Judith Burchall, Cumbria
Judith (43), a dry goods buyer for a catering firm, and her husband Mark (47), a forest ranger, live with their six- and eight year-old daughters, in Thirlmere, Cumbria; part of the Lake District National Park.

Judith originally rented her home from a utilities company and has lived there for 13 years. The company decided it wanted to sell the house. Impact Housing, the local housing association, offered to buy the house but was outbid by a private landlord. The new landlord then attempted to double the rent and refused to carry out essential repairs. Judith felt under pressure to move out, but could not afford to live anywhere else in the area due to the chronic shortage of affordable housing. Then Impact alerted her to an existing house for affordable rent which had unexpectedly come up nearby. Judith successfully applied for a tenancy, and will move in at the end of February.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The National Housing Federation represents 1,400 independent, not-for-profit housing associations in England. Together, our members provide 2 million affordable homes for around 5 million people. www.housing.org.uk

2. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen. www.cpre.org.uk.