Property
A new guide for
landowners on delivering
affordable rural housing
A new practical step-by-step guide has been launched which will help
landowners navigate the process of delivering affordable housing on rural
exception sites for the benefit of their community and their business.
» » THE GUIDE HAS BEEN PRODUCED
jointly by Strutt & Parker and Rural Housing
Solutions, who together bring a wealth of
experience in working with landowners
and developing rural affordable housing on
rural exception sites. These are small plots
of land which would not be considered
appropriate for open market housing, but
can be developed to provide affordable
homes that meet the needs of local
residents.
“Rural exception sites are being under-
used as a way of addressing the lack of
affordable housing in rural areas with one
of the barriers being that the process can
seem complicated to anyone who is not
familiar with it,” says Dr Jason Beedell,
head of rural research at Strutt & Parker.
“We know of lots of landowners who are
willing to release land for such schemes,
because they recognise the provision of
affordable housing can help to breathe new
life into a village and local community. Yet
the development process has a language
all of its own, which can prove very off-
putting.”
Jo Lavis, director of Rural Housing
Solutions, says: “The aim of the guide
is to demystify the process, providing
landowners with clear guidance on their
options and what is involved, so they can
be assured that a scheme progresses
smoothly and results in high-quality
affordable homes that they can be proud
of.”
Official government figures show that in
2015/16 only 3,696 affordable homes were
built in villages with a population of less
than 3,000 people and, of these, just 1,020
were on rural exception sites.
It is estimated, however, that around
7,500 homes a year are needed in these
smaller communities.
92 Autumn 2017 www.farmers-mart.co.uk
“Behind these figures are people’s lives.
A small scheme of affordable homes can
make all the difference,” says Ms Lavis.
“They can provide homes for young
people and older residents. People who have
been brought up in the area, have family in
the village and might work in local businesses,
including agriculture and related jobs.
“These are also the people who use
local services, whose children will attend
the local school and are likely to provide
support for the more vulnerable members
of the community.”
‘local residents
can be a scheme’s
greatest champions’
The easy-to-access online guide
provides advice for each stage of
developing a rural affordable housing
scheme on a rural exception site.
It explains the four principal options
available:
• Build and manage the homes yourself,
maybe buying in the services of a
housing association to manage the
homes
• Enter a joint venture arrangement
with a housing association or formally
constituted community housing group
• Long-lease (125 years) the land to
a housing association or formally
constituted community housing group
• Outright sale of the land to a housing
association or formally constituted
community housing group.
The guide explores the pros and cons of
the different options and explains how to
go about finding a housing association or
community housing organisation to partner
with.
It outlines how the need for affordable
housing will be established, the way a
scheme can be funded and looks at how
much income could be generated by selling
a site or developing and managing the
affordable housing and also what the tax
implications would be.
It highlights how to gain community
support. “Experience shows us that,
given the opportunity to be involved
constructively, local residents can be a
scheme’s greatest champions,” says Dr
Beedell.
“This, however, requires early
engagement, openness, sensitivity, plus a
willingness to accommodate their concerns
and explain the reasons when this is not
achievable.”
Two common concerns of landowners
are around whether the homes will remain
as affordable housing and will they be
occupied by people with a connection to
the community.
The guide explains the different
mechanisms available to ensure these
ends are achieved, including the ability to
negotiate for some of the properties to be
occupied by people the landowners have
nominated, which could be family members
or employees.
In describing the ultimate purpose of
the guide, Ms Lavis says: “We hope this
guide encourages more landowners to
become involved in providing affordable
homes.
“In so doing, they can help create
opportunities for people of different ages
and backgrounds to live in their village - the
people who are the lifeblood of a thriving
rural community and rural businesses”
For a copy of the full guide visit
www.struttandparker.com/rural-housing