The Farmers Mart Autumn 2017 - Issue 52 | Page 92

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