Rural experts have voiced "deep concern" at plans to extend the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.

The government is proposing to extend the Right to Buy to Housing Association tenants as part of its Housing Bill.

But the Rural Housing Alliance and Rural Services Network said in a briefing note that the proposal could have a serious potential impact on the existing and future supply of rural affordable housing.

A suite of exemptions would be needed to ensure a continuing supply of much-needed rural affordable homes, vital to retaining vibrant and mixed rural communities.

The Rural Housing Alliance brings together the principal developers of affordable rural housing across England, working with rural communities to enable and invest in new and existing homes.

It provides a collective voice to improve the supply of rural affordable housing through influencing policy and providing a forum for sharing good practice and experience.

The Rural Services Network represents 150 local authorities and more than 100 rural service providers in both the public and private sector.

The two organisations said there was already a severe lack of affordable housing in rural areas.

Those dependent on local incomes were unable to afford to buy in the market and there was a declining availability of rented affordable homes, they warned in the briefing note.

"The extension of the Right to Buy to housing association tenants would make this situation very much worse by reducing current supply and future delivery."

In some cases, it would "lead to the complete lack of affordable housing" in the parish.

"In so doing it will remove the opportunity for those on low incomes to live in rural areas, undermining the social and economic viability of rural communities.

"In short resulting in the outcome this Government has stated it seeks to avoid, the exile of these people from their families, roots, shared history and each other."

To download the briefing note, click here.

The Country Land and Business Association has also voiced disquiet at the government's proposal to extend the Right to Buy to housing association tenants.

CLA policy director Christopher Price said the proposal threatened to turn the "already challenging situation into a catastrophe for delivery of affordable housing in the countryside".

He added: "Across the countryside there are landowners that want to provide land for affordable housing, they understand that this means selling it at less than market value for this purpose.

"They will not do this if they know the homes will eventually be sold off into the open market and not kept for those in most need within their communities.

"It is therefore vital ministers put in place a specific exemption from the policy for homes in rural communities, for continued existence of an affordable rental sector in rural areas."