COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IS VITAL IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT

24/04/2008

MIDLANDS Rural Housing believes that community engagement and involvement is vital to meeting rural affordable housing needs.

The Prime Minister has asked Matthew Taylor MP to conduct a review on how land use and planning can better support rural businesses and deliver affordable housing to support sustainable rural communities.

Midlands Rural Housing has presented its response to Matthew Taylor MP and will reiterate its view when he visits the East Midlands on 28^th April.

Higher than average house prices, which are rising more rapidly than in urban areas, coupled with lower than average local wages, are making housing affordability a major issue in rural areas.

Craig Felts, Director of Midlands Rural Housing, says: “We have found that many rural communities have a clear need for more affordable housing but there can be opposition to homes being built.

“It’s vital to involve the community in the development of new affordable housing from the outset, ensuring they fully understand the benefits it brings. Once new homes have been built, community integration is key.

“Housing providers must engage positively at a local level and invest in communities not just new homes.

“Some people do not understand what affordable housing is all about and are nervous about its development. Continued communication with all sectors of the community is important when planning and developing new sites.”

Midlands Rural Housing believes that local councillors have an important role to play in providing impetus for the development of affordable rural housing and in acting as advocates for it.

“Where such projects are promoted by Local Councillors and where they engage with their Parish Councils and local communities on affordable housing issues, there is usually a positive outcome,” says Craig Felts.

“We feel that the remit and responsibilities of Parish Councils in maintaining local sustainable communities should be clearer.

“They have a crucial role in assessing local housing need by ensuring that housing need surveys are undertaken. The results can then be used to inform the community and supporting organisations about the housing needs in the area.

“If such projects are to be successful we need the Parish Councils to positively support and engage with rural affordable housing schemes. This would not only help deliver the Government’s targets for affordable housing, but would also help to empower local communities, which is vital.”

Matthew Taylor Review on Rural Economy and Affordable Housing is looking at how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. Rural communities are faced by a combination of higher than average house prices and lower than average local wages which can create challenges for individual families, the local economy and the wider sustainability of the community. Matthew Taylor is seeking to explore how these issues can be addressed through the application of land use and planning policy. The review will be used to advise and assist Government and will report to the Minister of State for Housing and the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Matthew Taylor will report around July 2008.

Midlands Rural Housing provides management services to four rural housing associations covering Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and the Peak District. Its primary aim is to facilitate access to homes in villages and market towns for those who live and work locally but are constrained by the effect market forces are having on affordability. Our objective is to benefit villages themselves by maintaining a sustainable, viable community.