During Rural Housing Week, we advocate for increased availability and affordability of residential properties in rural areas.
In the lead-up to the 2022 General Election in the UK, several political parties and housing providers have expressed a commitment to prioritising affordable homes in rural areas. While the specific policies vary in emphasis and scope, there is a clear focus on empowering local communities, planning reforms, funding advocacy, and technological innovation.
The UK Government has supported strategies to empower local rural communities, driving neighbourhood renewal and rural regeneration. Initiatives around housing, infrastructure, and community services have been implemented, with the "Total Place" pilot in Herefordshire being a prime example. This project focused on rural issues like housing changes, broadband infrastructure, and community engagement, demonstrating the government's interest in rural housing improvements.
The Labour Party, as of 2025, has emphasised sweeping reforms in planning and infrastructure to unlock more land for development, including rural areas, to meet ambitious housing targets. Their Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to simplify major project delivery and improve planning systems, which could benefit rural affordable housing delivery.
Housing providers, particularly housing associations represented by organizations like the National Housing Federation, have raised concerns about underfunding impacting new social homes, which includes affordable rural housing. They advocate for better funding and regulatory support to expand affordable housing stock for families on low incomes, addressing chronic shortages.
While there are ongoing innovations in property and land development using data-driven solutions, these technological advances can assist both urban and rural affordable housing projects by improving land viability assessments and speeding up development decisions.
The Government's electoral and democratic reforms plans do not specifically address rural housing but reflect wider governance changes that may indirectly support local empowerment and participation in rural housing decisions.
Winsley White, a family-run construction firm, is urging the next government to prioritise affordable homes in rural areas. They have partnered with Stonewater, a leading social housing provider, to call for a long-term commitment to rural housing.
Stonewater manages homes in Loxwood, Chichester, and Somerset, with 50 affordable rent, shared ownership, and rent-to-buy properties spread across these locations. In a recent development in Holt, Wiltshire, delivered in partnership with Stonewater, ten new properties will be built to Passivhaus standard, making them highly energy efficient. Solar panels and Wondrwall heating and water systems with smart technology will be installed in these properties, aiming to reduce energy bills.
This development in Holt will add to the almost 8,000 Stonewater homes in rural areas across England, which represent 20% of its total number of homes. The benefits of affordable rural housing, according to Sam Winsley, include a positive impact on customers' lives and the ability to keep communities thriving.
The National Housing Federation (NHF) runs an annual initiative called Rural Housing Week, established to highlight the social and economic benefits of more rural housing. While the NHF is not mentioned as a partner for Winsley White or any specific development, their research underscores the importance of rural housing for the UK's overall housing strategy.
Building ten affordable homes in a rural area can generate £1.4 million for the economy and support an average of 26 jobs. With commitments from major parties and housing providers, and innovative solutions on the horizon, the future of affordable rural housing looks promising.
- The Government's focus on neighbourhood renewal and rural regeneration, as demonstrated by projects like the "Total Place" pilot in Herefordshire, aligns with the call from Winsley White for the next government to prioritize affordable homes in rural areas.
- The Labour Party's planned reforms in planning and infrastructure, aimed at unlocking more land for development and improving delivery of affordable housing, could bolster rural affordable housing initiatives.
- The National Housing Federation's annual Rural Housing Week underscores the significance of rural housing for the UK's overall housing strategy, highlighting the social and economic benefits associated with building affordable homes in these areas.
