The National Rural Conference 2025

Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.
This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.
Click here to book!

Government sets out requirements regarding first homes

Through a Written Ministerial Statement the Government has set out the requirements on local planning authorities to provide First Homes

Concurrently, these were incorporated into amended National Planning Practice Guidance.  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/first-homes.

Among the clarifications is that Green Belts are exempted from First Homes Exception Site requirement

- A Briefing Note has been prepared by Rural Housing Specialist Jo Lavis and can be seen here