The Matthew Taylor review of rural affordable housing calls for a fundamental overhaul of planning policy in order to revitalise countryside communities.

{sidebar id=4}Commissioned by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, its findings were published on Wednesday (23 July).

A spokesman for the Rural Services Network, which represents 80 of England's most rural local authorities and 150 other rural interest groups. said it welcomed the main thrust of the report.

"Despite the credit crunch, affordable housing remains one of the most pressing issues affecting the countryside.

"Adequate affordable housing in rural areas is vital - not only for people who live in the countryside, but people who live everywhere."

A whole host of key rural workers, including police officers, teachers and nurses, could not afford to buy their own homes. The situation in respect of retained firefighters was particularly acute.

"Local businesses - which depend on local labour and rural employees - are also seriously hampered by the knock-on effects of the lack of affordable housing."

Rural groups want the report implemented

Tom Oliver, head of rural policy at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, said: "It is so refreshing to read a report which puts long term planning local distinctiveness, and community consent at the heart of its recommendations.

Mr Taylor had raised the level of debate about the development of market towns with an inspiring call to put master planning centre stage, he added.

Mr Oliver continued: "CPRE wholly supports the identification of the planning system as the key to high quality, attractive settlements and surrounding countryside."

The Country Land and Business Association said it hoped the Government would take on board and deliver the report’s recommendations as soon as possible.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “The CLA does not want to see this report go the same way as the important Affordable Rural Housing Commission report which appears to be sitting on shelves gathering dust.

He added: “Rural employment continues to be stifled by the planning system, and the delivery of affordable rural housing is just not happening on the ground.

"We are looking to the government to turn the Matthew Taylor report around very quickly and provide the encouragement and incentives that businessmen and businesswomen in rural areas require to run profitable and modern businesses."

                  See also:
                                • Shake-up 'vital' for affordable housing (23 July 2008)
                                • Campaigners look to housing report (22 July 2008)
                                • Brown to propose 'cheap rural homes' (31 March 2008)
                                • Government defends record on housing (27 February 2008)
                                • Appeal for evidence on rural housing (18 February 2008)
                                • Warning over affordable rural homes (23 November 2007)
                                • Get tough on second homes, PM told (18 November 2007)
                                • Call to boost affordable rural homes (18 October 2007)
                                • £10.2bn boost for affordable homes (16 October 2007)
                                • Watchdog welcomes housing pledge (13 July 2007)
                                • Civil servants debate housing crisis (11 July 2007)
                                • Councils 'could provide more homes (3 July 2007)
                                • PM Brown says homes are priority (27 June 2007)
                                • Pressure builds over rural housing (8 June 2007)

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