Affordable Housing and Rural Transport Challenges in Lancashire

BBC North West recently reported on the difficulties faced by people living and working in the village of Silverdale, Lancashire. The coverage highlighted two issues familiar across many rural areas: a shortage of affordable housing and limited transport options.

Local residents told the BBC that high private rents – often exceeding £1,000 per month – and a shortage of rental properties mean young people and working families are priced out of the village where they work. Many are instead forced to live in neighbouring towns and commute back in.

Transport was also identified as a barrier. For those without a car, employment is harder to access due to infrequent bus services and rising rail fares. Local employers noted that these challenges are making it more difficult to recruit and retain staff, with some businesses struggling to maintain opening hours.

Parish councillors in Silverdale told the BBC they were working to find small brownfield sites for new homes, balancing the need for housing with the duty to protect the area’s status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Without solutions, they warned, the community risks becoming dominated by second homes and seasonal visitors rather than a year-round village.

At the Rural Services Network we continue to highlight how rural housing, transport, and the wider rural economy are deeply interconnected. Everybody deserves the chance to live close to where they work, and to access affordable, reliable transport. If national housing and economic policy is to deliver for all, it must ensure that rural areas remain vibrant, inclusive communities rather than seasonal destinations.

You can read the BBC’s full report on Silverdale here

Housing, fair funding, transport, and the future of rural economies will all be explored in depth at the upcoming National Rural Conference 2025. These discussions are central to ensuring rural communities have the homes, services, and infrastructure they need to thrive. Find out more and view the full programme here.