Royal Support for Rural Housing

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of English Rural, will attend the "Affordable Rural Housing: Opportunity in Changing Times" conference on Wednesday, 30th April 2025, held at Coram, Brunswick Square, London. Jointly organised by English Rural and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), the conference brings together government representatives (MHCLG, Defra), Homes England officials, local authorities, housing providers, planning experts, community leaders, and rural advocates to tackle the growing challenge of providing affordable homes in the UK, essential to help rural communities prosper.

The conference aims to champion sustainable rural communities and highlight the critical role collaborative action plays in sustaining and enhancing rural life. With rural house prices significantly outpacing wage growth—average rural house prices stood at £418,400 in 2023 against an average rural wage of £25,600—and social housing waiting lists in rural areas increasing by 20% between 2020 and 2023, the event will explore practical solutions and strategic planning needed to address the housing shortfall. Key themes include quantifying the socio-economic benefits of rural housing, the importance of grassroots community action, the need for supportive planning policies, and the crucial role of Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs).

Conference Chair, Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE, a national voice on countryside matters, commented:

"The challenge of affordable rural housing cuts across sustainability, social equity, and the vitality of our countryside. This conference provides a crucial opportunity to highlight the urgent need for collaborative, sensitive responses that promote good design for the right homes in the right places. Delivering these should be our common goal, with local communities working with the support of government and planning bodies, to safeguard the future of thriving rural communities."

The conference will spotlight the contribution of RHEs, frontline specialists who broker trust and navigate planning to unlock housing delivery and give an overview of the RHE programme funded by Defra. Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive of ACRE, stated:

"Community action, supported by dedicated Rural Housing Enablers, is fundamental to tackling the housing challenges unique to our countryside. ACRE is proud to champion the work of these vital connectors who empower local people to shape sustainable solutions for their own communities."

The Princess Royal has been a long-standing champion for rural communities and has visited rural housing schemes to underline how well-designed, locally needed homes can transform residents’ wellbeing and act as the ‘bedrock’ on which families, businesses and entire villages can thrive for generations.

Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, stated:

"Affordable rural housing is fundamental to the health of our countryside, supporting local economies and ensuring vibrant and diverse communities for future generations. This conference provides a vital platform to move from discussion to action, focusing on collaborative solutions, the work of Rural Housing Enablers, the essential role played by housing associations and the policy changes needed to deliver growth and opportunity."

The programme features diverse speakers including: Rebecca Munro (Pragmatix Advisory) presenting compelling evidence on the socio-economic impact of rural housing; Pauline Rose offering a powerful resident perspective on the life-changing impact of an affordable home; Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley (Lord Bishop of Newcastle and President of the Rural Coalition) discussing collaborative approaches and the Church's role; RHEs Laura Atkinson and Vince Walsh sharing frontline experiences; Jo Lavis MBE (Rural Housing Solutions) and Avril Roberts (CLA) jointly presenting a package of measures to scale up delivery, addressing planning frameworks and landowner perspectives. A panel discussion, including Roger Mortlock (CPRE), will explore balancing housing need with environmental sustainability. Statistics highlight the urgency: it could take over 89 years to house everyone currently on rural social housing waiting lists at present construction rates.

The conference seeks to foster the government commitment and collaboration required to overcome rural housing challenges, ensuring policy, practice, and community insight drive tangible change.

Nadine Trout, Assistant Chief Executive of the Rural Services Network, will attend the conference and looks forward to bringing you highlights and key takeaways in next week’s Rural Bulletin.

The event will also be live-streamed on YouTube (with a 30-second delay), you can register for the livestream here.