Call for affordable rural homes
24 August 2000
Call for affordable rural homes
by FWi staff
AFFORDABLE rural housing is the key to sustaining businesses and communities in the countryside, the government has been told.
Ministers should relax the rules surrounding tied properties and encourage investment in low cost housing, said the Country Landowners Association.
“New small business ventures are often hampered by the lack of affordable housing for employees,” said Mark Jones, CLA planning advisor.
“The occupancy requirement of tied properties should be revised to accommodate the needs of farm diversification projects.”
New low cost housing linked to local job opportunities and nearby shop and schools should not be unduly challenged by local planning authorities, he added.
Local surveys should be carried out to determine housing needs. The results to be readily available to landowners and providers of affordable accommodation.