The government’s new “Rural Productivity Plan” contains plans to boost the supply of starter homes in rural areas by allowing councils to build them on “rural exception sites”.
These sites, which are subject to planning constraints, can currently be used to develop affordable housing. But the new move opens them up to private developers building starter homes offered to first-time buyers under the age of 40 at a 20% discount.
The plan says that local authorities will be obliged to put in place local plans for housing according to agreed deadlines, and they will be required to “plan proactively” for the delivery of starter homes.
The government hopes the change will make a “significant contribution” to the target of building 200,000 starter homes during this parliament.
The announcement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) forms part of a 10-point plan to increase productivity in rural areas.
“We’re determined to ensure anyone who works hard and aspires to own their own home has the opportunity to do so – whether they live in cities, towns or rural communities.”
Greg Clark, communities secretary
The plan also envisages a review of other planning constraints affecting development in rural areas, including the rules covering the conversion of agricultural buildings to residential use.
The report states: “Through the right combination of measures, the government wants to ensure that any village in England has the freedom to expand in an incremental way, subject to local agreement.”
The introduction of a dispute resolution mechanism for section 106 agreements, to speed up negotiations and allow housing starts to proceed more quickly, is also contained in the report.
Greg Clark, communities secretary, said: “We’re determined to ensure anyone who works hard and aspires to own their own home has the opportunity to do so – whether they live in cities, towns or rural communities.
“But all too often young people find themselves exiled from the place they grew up as they are forced to move away to find a home of their own.
“That’s why we’re putting power directly in the hands of rural councils to give the go-ahead for new starter homes in their area so local young first-time buyers can continue to be a vital part of their communities.”
Stephen Hodder, RIBA president welcomed the announcement saying: “Local authorities must be empowered to be able to deliver well planned and well connected communities on brownfield land that is fit-for-purpose for those who need them.
“However it is vital that, in the drive to counter the housing crisis that has gripped Britain, that local expertise, high quality design and sustainable planning are at the heart of every conversation.”
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