Rural Communities Given Green Light to Build Starter Homes

As part of the government's plan to increase the number of properties available for first-time buyers, rural communities will be allowed to build starter homes in their local areas subject to agreement amongst themselves. Alongside boosting the stock of affordable housing, this will help to increase employment opportunities in rural areas and ensure that communities survive in the face of rising housing prices.

Rural Productivity Plan

The Rural Productivity Plan, which is a first for this country, will amend the law to enable Rural Exception Sites to be used for the construction of starter homes. This will be the first time that the government has allowed the use of these sites to build residential properties.

Local communities will be able to designate appropriate sites for the building of these homes, which will be specifically designated for those currently residing in the vicinity or who have a connection through work or family. Starter homes are particularly designed for first-time buyers, and those under the age of 40 purchasing their first property will be eligible for a 20% discount.

The homes will be constructed to fit in with the existing housing stock and with the needs of the local community in mind. This will include adequately sized family homes and design features, such as a good garden or a balcony with a steel handrail.

Housing Shortage

Nationally, there is a problem with a lack of affordable and appropriate housing. However, within rural communities this poses a particular challenge. The housing stock is especially low compared to the demand in these areas, and prices are as much as 6.7% more on average than they are in urban regions. It also impacts on the availability of local labour, such as those who can fit a steel handrail, and the ability of people to have entrepreneurial mobility without moving away from the area. The cost of housing is often pricing young people out of an area that they have lived in all their lives, which is harming the future of these villages.

With the use of this Rural Productivity Plan, the government will take another step to deal with the issue of housing across the country. It will enable more rural properties to be built, but at the same time still enable Green Belt zones to be protected.

Other Measures

As well as the implementation of this plan, the government wants to put in place measures that will speed up the process of house building. This includes making it simpler for local communities to have neighbourhood plans and set aside sites that are suitable for new homes. They will also review the existing rules about converting agricultural buildings into residential properties.

Through these measures, the government wants to enable English villages to expand as the local community sees fit by reducing the restrictions on eligible sites. Without this focussed attention on the specific needs of rural areas, villages could become unaffordable for first-time buyers and impact on the future survival and growth of the community.