Spotlight on Rural Housing - July 2025

A quarterly bulletin facilitated by your membership of the Rural Services Network and produced in partnership with the Rural Housing Alliance, highlighting a selection of current rural housing issues and opportunities

Rural Housing Week 2025 in full swing

This week is Rural Housing Week!

With several important housing announcements from the government in the past month, this week is a great opportunity to explore the impact these will have on rural communities, and to make the case for why delivering affordable housing in rural areas is key to achieving the country's ambitions for removing barriers to growth and opportunity

The National Housing Federation are hosting two webinars focusing on rural housing issues, which are open to anyone to attend. The first took place on Monday 7 July and looked at how we can deliver more homes in rural areas

The second is on Thursday 10 July, exploring some of the challenges for existing homes (such as flood risk, damp and mould, etc.), and how housing providers manage dealing with these challenges in rural areas.

We encourage you to follow #RuralHousingWeek on social media and share the stories you find there, as well as using the hashtag when posting your own content. You can also create and share your own Rural Housing Week supporter graphic. 

To find out more about Rural Housing Week see housing.org.uk/ruralhousingweek.

Government sets out plans for Social and Affordable Homes programme

At the beginning of July, Government set out its ambitions for a “social rent revolution” through the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme.

The aim is to build at least 300,000 social and affordable homes with at least 60% for social rent.

The ‘Delivering a decade of renewal for social and affordable housing’ policy paper states:

“We recognise that some types of social and affordable homes that are much needed can often cost more to deliver – such as some homes built by local councils, supported housing, community-led and rural homes. The new programme is designed to be flexible to support the greater diversity of supply needed, and we are asking providers to come forward with ambitious bids that reflect this diversity. This approach replaces the previous approach of setting numerical targets for particular types of homes (e.g. for rural and supported housing delivery). We will maintain the principle that all bids will be assessed for value for money based on their particular circumstances, and we will not pay any more grant than is necessary to meet the gap between the costs of building and the funds that can be raised by providers.”

You can read the full document here.

Rural housing association delivers over 200 homes across Shropshire and Herefordshire

Rural housing association Connexus delivered 215 homes across Shropshire and Herefordshire in 2024/2025 as part of its development and acquisition programme.

This included the completion of a new flagship 93-home affordable housing scheme in Ledbury, Herefordshire, designed to provide high-quality, energy-efficient homes. As part of the development one-bedroom homes and specially adapted bungalows were incorporated into the scheme’s masterplan, meeting a specific local housing need.

In Much Wenlock, Shropshire, 14 new homes were delivered, including homes for shared ownership and affordable rent. In Shrewsbury, Connexus completed the final phase of an open market outright sale scheme, delivering 27 homes. Proceeds from the outright sales are reinvested into the development of more affordable homes. Connexus also completed smaller developments in rural towns and villages across the region, and expanded its housing stock through the acquisition of 45 homes from another housing association

Amanda Knowles, head of development at Connexus, said:

“We’re really pleased to have delivered over 200 homes in the past financial year through a mix of new build and acquisitions. This achievement is the result of hard work and collaboration between our teams and partners, including local authorities, developers, and other housing associations.

“The homes represent more than just bricks and mortar; they help us to support stronger and more sustainable rural communities. This is really important as the demand for affordable housing in rural areas has never been higher. Rising costs and limited availability mean too many people are being priced out of the places they grew up in or work in. Increasing the supply of quality homes, whether by building new ones or bringing existing properties into our portfolio, helps people stay local, close to family, employment, and the support they rely on.”

Connexus’s new corporate plan, launched earlier this year, sets out its continued focus on delivering up to 200 new homes each year. These will be delivered through a mix of new build affordable housing and by regenerating existing homes and places. This includes sites where older properties will be replaced in place, making best use of available land and opportunities.

For more information contact [email protected]

Building futures: pupils explore the importance of rural housing

To mark Rural Housing Week, pupils from Gosforth Primary School swapped the classroom for hard hats and high-vis jackets as they toured a new affordable housing development in their village — a project that’s set to make a lasting impact on their rural community. 

Organised by Castles & Coasts Housing Association (CCHA) and construction partner Thomas Armstrong, the visit gave local children a first-hand look at how new homes are being built in the heart of their community, and why affordable rural housing matters more than ever. 

The site, known as Summerscales, is the first major housing scheme in the Lake District village of Gosforth for over 20 years. Once completed, it will provide 20 much-needed homes for people with strong links to the area, supporting local families, addressing housing pressures, and helping to keep rural communities alive. 

Andrew Wilkinson, Land and Acquisition Manager at CCHA said: 

"As we walked through the new development with a group of local schoolchildren, one of them turned to me and said how he could see himself living here one day. He clearly wants to stay close to the village he knows and loves — the place where his friends, family, and life are centred. It was a simple comment, but it captured exactly why affordable homes in rural areas matter: they give young people a chance to imagine a future in the communities they’ve grown up in." 

During the visit, pupils were given a tour of the site and took part in practical activities such as bricklaying and exploring a digger cab, all with guidance and support from experienced tradespeople. Site Manager Andrew Musgrave and Health and Safety Manager Ian Morgan introduced the pupils to life on a construction site, highlighting both the excitement of building homes and the importance of safety.  

Sarah Layzell, Assistant Head Teacher at Gosforth Primary School, said: 

“The children had a fantastic time and haven’t stopped talking about it. It was a brilliant way for them to learn outside the classroom and understand the real-life work going on in their village. A big thank you to Castles & Coasts and Thomas Armstrong for such a fun and educational day.” 

CCHA’s Summerscales development is just one example of how thoughtful rural housing schemes can respond to local need. In places like Gosforth, where house prices and availability often push young people and families out, building affordable homes is essential to ensuring rural communities remain vibrant and sustainable. 

For more information contact [email protected]

Housing Plus celebrate completion of new homes in Staffordshire village

A leading West Midlands housing association is celebrating after completing eight new affordable homes in a popular South Staffordshire village.  

The £2.1 million development by Housing Plus Group, known as Coopers Meadow, located off Common Lane in Bednall, is providing a mix of two and three-bedroom homes for social rent and shared ownership.

Housing Plus Group was awarded £660,000 in funding from Homes England for the project and had the backing of Acton Trussell, Bednall and Teddesley Hay Parish Council.

As well as providing high quality, affordable and energy efficient homes, the project also includes a car park for use by the Parish Council, neighbouring school and residents. This facility will help to mitigate high volume traffic, making the area safer and more convenient for the local community.

The completion of this new development follows the successful merger of The Wrekin Housing Group and Housing Plus Group in January 2025, creating one of the largest housing associations in the West Midlands.

Wayne Gethings, Group Chief Executive of Housing Plus Group, said:

“Our new Group is committed to working with our partners to respond to local need and Coopers Meadow is an excellent example of that.

“The homes for social rent and shared ownership will allow people to live in an area they love, in an affordable home close to family and friends.

“We are grateful for the support of Homes England, South Staffordshire Council and the Parish Council in bringing this project forward so it can help meet the demand for affordable, high-quality housing in the area.”

Grant Mitchell, Assistant Director Enterprise & Growth at South Staffordshire Council, said:

“I think the development is superb, it’s going to be a real benefit to the local community in the village, providing affordable homes for those that might not necessarily be able to afford to buy in this area.  

“The development is well designed, there’s lots of open space, the actual properties themselves look spacious and I’d love to live in one myself.”

Built in partnership with Harper Group, the homes have been fitted with solar PV panels and battery storage to reduce the carbon footprint of the development.

For more information contact [email protected]

Rural apprentice Will eyes top UK skills competition final

18-year-old Connexus apprentice Will Turner has his sights set on the UK finals of a top plumbing skills competition, after qualifying for heats which will see him test his skills against 15 other competitors.

Will, who was named Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Student of the Year 2024 in his category at Shrewsbury College, will compete in qualifiers shortly to reach the finals of SkillPLUMB, one of the plumbing industry’s annual skills competitions designed to promote excellence. Should he place in the heats, he will join other finalists from across the country to compete for the UK crown, with a trip to Las Vegas for the world competition in 2028 to look forward to for the most skilled finalists.

Will joined rural housing association Connexus in September 2024 as a plumbing and heating apprentice, becoming one of fifteen other apprentices in the housing association’s biggest ever intake.

Will Turner said:

“I’m really grateful for the support I’ve had from my team and college. I’ve learned so much already, and it’s great to be acknowledged for doing something I enjoy.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing nationally and showing the judges in the competition what I can do.”

Billy Griffiths, Will’s mentor and a Connexus heating engineer, said:

“Will is a great asset to Connexus, he’s always eager to help and learn.

“His attitude and enthusiasm make him a pleasure to work with. He’s achieved so much by winning at Shrewsbury College. I wish him lots of luck in the national heats of the competition.”

For more information contact [email protected]

New Devon homes aim for Energy Performance Certificate A

Willow Tree Housing Partnership are nearing completion of six new affordable homes in Morchard Bishop, Devon.

The scheme will provide a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership homes in a settlement with a population of just under 1000.  Morchard Bishop has a thriving community and it was important to Willow Tree to support the affordability needs to enable people to remain in the village.

The section 106 scheme started on site in November 2024.  All homes include Air Source Heat Pumps, EV Chargers, Solar PV and Batteries and are proposed to be Energy Performance Certificate A.  There are also biodiversity benefits incorporated within the scheme including bee blocks and swift boxes.

English Rural Launches New Podcast with Special Episode Marking Rural Housing Week 2025

English Rural is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new podcast series with a special inaugural episode titled “Unlocking Rural Potential: Addressing the Affordable Housing Challenge”, released to coincide with Rural Housing Week 2025.

Hosted by Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, the episode brings together two leading voices in the rural housing and countryside policy space: Isabella (Bella) Murfin, Director General of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), and Roger Mortlock, Chief Executive of CPRE, the countryside charity.

This timely conversation explores the systemic challenges and opportunities surrounding the delivery of affordable housing in rural England. Topics include land availability, planning reform, economic pressures, and the role of landowners and communities in shaping sustainable rural futures.

The episode also features practical policy recommendations, including support for a “rural exception site planning passport”, and calls for greater collaboration between landowners, local authorities, and community housing providers.

The episode is available to stream now through the English Rural website and YouTube channel. Listeners are encouraged to share the episode and join the conversation using #EnglishRuralPodcast #RuralHousingWeek.

East Midlands mayor visits Peak District scheme

Midlands Rural Housing recently hosted Claire Ward, the Mayor for the East Midlands, on a visit to a Peak District Rural Housing scheme in Youlgrave.

The visit was an opportunity to showcase the success of the project while shedding light on the unique challenges faced by rural housing associations in meeting the pressing demand for affordable homes in rural communities.

Located in the heart of the Peak District National Park, Hannah Bowman Way provides two and three bed houses and bungalows for rent and shared ownership. The scheme was the first in the Peak District National Park to be built with the involvement of a Community Land Trust and not only provides much needed, affordable homes for local people, but also includes a community orchard for the enjoyment of residents.

During the visit, the mayor was given a guided tour of the site, meeting with residents who shared their stories of how the new homes have positively transformed not only their lives, but the vibrancy of the village. One of the highlights of the visit was hearing a local resident give a heartfelt account about the history of the scheme, and the benefits it had brought to those living in the homes, and the wider local community.

Mayor Claire Ward said:

“It was great to meet with residents and the Midlands Rural Housing representatives in Youlgrave who gave me a really clear understanding of the housing needs in the area.  Youlgrave is a beautiful village and I am really impressed with the efforts being made to keep the village thriving.

It’s so important to recognise the need for good affordable homes in our villages to ensure they flourish and it was great to see the new houses being built and hear about the future plans to meet the needs of residents.”

Looking to the future, Midlands Rural Housing remain committed to collaborating with partners, advocating for policy changes, and ensuring that rural communities have access to affordable, high-quality housing. The mayor’s visit helped shine a spotlight on this critical issue.

Iconic Shrewsbury housing development completed

SJ Roberts Construction and Floreat Homes, Connexus' outright sale brand, have marked the completion of Radbrook Village in Shrewsbury with an event attended by representatives of both businesses, as well as the local council.

The completion follows eight years on site that has included the restoration and conversion of both Radbrook Hall, a former Victorian schoolhouse, and Walker House which was part of the college which stood on the site until 2014. 88 Scandinavian-inspired new-build homes ranging in size from three-, to five-bedrooms, and 22 assisted living units complete the new community. 

The final phase of the development was started in 2023 and focused on the transformation of Walker House into two large semi-detached homes, offering period styling with modern features, as well as 25 new homes, four of which have been made available for shared ownership.  

Commenting on completion of the project, Mike Sambrook managing director at SJ Roberts Construction, said: 

“Today marks the completion of a very special project for SJ Roberts Construction. Having partnered with Floreat Homes since the start of this project, it is fantastic to see not only how the existing buildings on the site have transformed, but also how they’ve blended so well with the new homes that we’ve built. The community that has been created here is clear to see and we hope that the residents will enjoy being part of such an iconic development.”  

Amanda Knowles head of development at Connexus said: 

“We’re really pleased to be celebrating the completion of Radbrook Village which has been built over 4 phases. A big thank you S J Roberts for their professional approach and for creating 130 quality homes which are much admired. We look forward to working with them again at our scheme in Marton.”

For more information contact [email protected]

Bookings open now: National Rural Conference 2025

Bookings are now officially open for the National Rural Conference 2025, which will take place online from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 September.

This is the Rural Services Network’s flagship event of the year, bringing together rural decision-makers, practitioners, and advocates for four days of live, interactive sessions focused on the future of rural communities.

This year’s conference will feature eight themed sessions covering key rural policy areas.

For all information and booking details please visit: Bookings Now Open: National Rural Conference 2025 - Rural Services Network