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

Homes England Rural Statement recognises higher rural development cost

At the beginning of October, Homes England published a statement aimed at highlighting the work they undertake in support of rural housing.

In their Rural Statement, they state:

“Homes England’s new Strategic Plan sets out our mission, “to drive regeneration and housing delivery to create high-quality homes and thriving places across England. At the heart of this is a commitment to work with places, including rural communities, to deliver on their housing and regeneration priorities.”

Within the statement, Homes England recognise the higher costs associated with developing affordable homes in rural areas. “We recognise that the costs and risks involved in housing development can often be disproportionately high in rural areas due to a combination of a lack of:

• development opportunities, smaller sites, and limited capacity in the construction industry
• that development finance can be difficult to access, particularly for smaller developers
• that mortgage availability can be constrained where, for example, there are local eligibility and connection restrictions”

The agency state that in rural areas they have the flexibility to provide higher grant rates in light of higher costs associated with rural housing delivery, where the need can be evidenced. They are also able to provide the majority of grant funding upfront, at start on site, to improve viability and cashflow. They also state that:
“The renewed focus on social rent within the AHP should also benefit rural areas, where affordability is a particular issue.”

You can read the full statement at the following link: Homes England ‘Rural Housing Statement' - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Unlocking the potential of Rural Exception Sites to deliver much needed affordable homes

A new study by University College London (UCL) and English Rural Housing Association illuminates the gravity of the affordable housing crisis facing many rural areas and offers a viable solution — Rural Exception Sites (RES).

English Rural write:

“The lack of affordable housing is often seen as an urban issue, but rural areas are equally affected. A slew of challenges, including conservation emphasis, limited amenities, environmental restrictions, and surging property prices, have constricted housing development in rural England. These challenges are further exacerbated by lower incomes and increasing urban migration to rural regions, making housing unaffordable for many local residents.

“Introduced as a national policy in 1991, RES were designed to deliver affordable homes on small rural plots that wouldn’t usually get planning permission. Over time, the policy has evolved to allow a small number of market-sale homes to facilitate the delivery of affordable units. Despite its potential, only 15% of rural authorities constructed any affordable homes on these sites in 2016 and 2017, with 37% of those built in Cornwall alone.”

The study identifies several roadblocks to the widespread adoption of RES, including a general lack of understanding, reluctance from local landowners, and opposition from local councils. However, the report argues many of these challenges can be overcome with better information. Key recommendations include:

• Proactive Promotion: RES deserve a front-row seat in Local Plans.
• Harnessing Collective Strength: The synergy of various stakeholders is paramount.
• Igniting National Discourse: Central government policymakers need to be instrumental in a nationwide dialogue about the untapped potential of RES.

You can read the full report at the following link:
English Rural | Unlocking the “Magic Ingredient”: How Rural Exception Sites Could Be the Game-Changer for Affordable Housing in the English Countryside

New affordable homes on former school site named after local teacher

The development of 8 new energy-efficient, affordable homes was celebrated by the community of Stoke by Nayland in Suffolk on 29 September 2023.

The homes are built on land that used to be part of the grounds of the local Middle School and the name of the new development, Underwood Close, pays tribute to the legacy of Margaret Underwood who taught at the school for many years. In addition to the 8 new Hastoe homes, the site has retained 2 Suffolk County Council houses that used to be occupied by the school’s caretakers.

Councillor Rosie Emeny of Stoke by Nayland Parish Council said:

“Many of us have fond memories of our time at Stoke Middle School and the teachers who taught us, and one of those teachers that stood out was Margaret Underwood. She was not just an amazing teacher but someone who always looked out for the less fortunate and struggling pupil. She ensured that we all had the same opportunities and encouraged and worked alongside us to achieve our best potential. This support continued even when we were no longer pupils at the school and, for some of us, into our adulthood. She was an inspiration to so many and I felt it a fitting tribute to name this development Underwood Close as I know it was a place very dear to her heart. She would be so pleased to know many of her former pupils are now tenants.”

Hastoe’s 8 new affordable homes have increased the provision of social housing in the Parish by 17%. All 6 rented homes have been prioritised for people with a local connection to the Civil Parish of Stoke by Nayland such as those working in the Parish, those with close family in the area, or those who previously lived there but had to move out because of a lack of affordable housing. Over 70 tenancy bids were received for the 6 rented homes.

You can read more about the scheme at the following link:
Stoke by Nayland names new affordable homes after local school teacher - Hastoe Group

Passive Haus affordable homes in Wiltshire village get seal of approval

White Horse Housing Association’s £2.8 million passive housing project received an overwhelming thumbs up when it was shown off at an open day recently.

The ten new homes at Hook Hollow in Seend Cleeve, which are due to be completed later this year, have been built to rigorous ‘passive haus’ standards – which mean they will be incredibly energy efficient, resulting in relatively lower costs for the new residents in a time of high energy prices.

White Horse Housing Association (WHHA) is the development’s main funder but it has also been partly funded by Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme, together with a contribution from Wiltshire Council. The project has been run in partnership with Seend Community Land and Asset Trust. The homes were designed by PKA Architects of Potterne and built by Winsley White Builders of Radstock.

The land was made available by the Seend Community Land and Asset Trust in partnership with Seend Parish Council and was identified after a review of many potential sites and a public consultation. The land was bought by White Horse Housing Association and then sold to the community land and asset trust for £1 before being leased back to White Horse Housing Association for 995 years.

The development has four two-bedroomed, one three-bedroomed and two one bedroom homes for rent as well as  two  three-beds and one two-bed for shared ownership sale. Both the rental and the shared ownership homes will be occupied by families and people with a local connection.

The homes are constructed from pre-cut timber frames which were then assembled, insulated with sustainable wool and sealed with airtight wind and waterproof tape before the exterior was cladded. Thanks to this, and the triple-glazed windows, the homes are completely draught proof and will need just two modern Quantum storage heaters and a heated towel rail inside.

Community land trust chairman Steve Vaux said:

“I know of so many couples that have left the parish to start families and would have preferred to stay here. The rural life is a lifestyle choice really but for those folks who want to start a family who can't afford the property, it's not a lifestyle choice, it's an economic choice to move out of the parish.”

You can read more at the following link:
Passive homes project at Seend (whitehorsehousing.co.uk)

‘Digital and Doorstep’ engagement for Cornwall tenants

Under the strategic theme of ‘Our Customers’ set out in their new Business Strategy and in line with their ‘Customer First’ value, Cornwall Rural Housing Association (CRHA) have introduced a ‘Digital & Doorstep’ concept. This builds on the Association’s already successful approach to engaging with customers in their homes as part of their annual programme of customer and home visits.

Customers can speak with CRHA directly through a user-friendly online portal, by email and also through other digital messaging platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to communicate.

The highest level of engagement that CRHA have with their customers now is through digital media platforms as opposed to other means.

The Association state:

“As well as providing a dynamic approach to gaining customer insight and feedback, by combining Digital & Doorstep approaches, we can provide a more holistic and customer-centric service experience, catering to a wide range of customer preferences and requirements. This approach can improve efficiency, accessibility, and overall customer satisfaction in the services we provide and help connect us on a daily basis with dispersed rural communities across Cornwall and on the Isles of Scilly.”

You can read the full CRHA Business Strategy at the following link:
FD Business Strategy Document.pdf (crha.org.uk)

Helping people with complex needs live in North Yorkshire

People with complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities, are moving back to North Yorkshire to be closer to their families following the opening of a £2.83M specialist housing scheme.

Broadacres worked with various partners, including the NHS, to complete work on a state-of-the-art seven-bungalow development in Brough St Giles, near Catterick.

Six of the new two-bedroom homes have been allocated to people with a connection to the area, with a further bungalow for staff from Stokesley-based Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS) to provide 24-hour-a-day care and support.

More than £2 million of the funding for the project was secured by the local NHS clinical commissioning group, with contributions from Broadacres making up the difference.

Gail Teasdale, Chief Executive of Broadacres, said:

“We’re delighted to have completed work on this unique development which enables people from our area to move back into the community and be closer to their family, friends, and other support networks and it’s a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together to reach a common goal.”

Amanda Bloor, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB Chief Operating Officer, said:

“It’s fantastic to see how every aspect of the design of these homes takes into consideration the complex needs of those who will live there. It’s been a pleasure to have been involved from the very start and I’d like to thank Broadacres, NHS England and other partners for helping to turn the vision we had in 2018 into a reality.”

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said:

“Helping support people to live a healthy, independent and active life in the community is a strategic aim for North Yorkshire Council and developments like this are to be welcomed.”

Shropshire village homes under construction

Work is progressing strongly on a housing development that will bring much-needed affordable housing to a Shropshire village.

Housing Plus Group appointed SJ Roberts Construction Ltd to build its development, on Mount Close, Pontesbury, which will deliver high quality housing for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The development, which is due to be completed next year, will see 18 new attractive homes take shape in the village. Fourteen of the properties will be available for affordable rent and four for shared ownership.

It marks another key milestone in Housing Plus Group’s ambitious plans to build new homes for rent, shared ownership and outright sale in Staffordshire and Shropshire.

Nick Powell, Development Manager at Housing Plus Group, said:

“We’re delighted to see the progress made on this exciting development in Pontesbury.

“Affordable housing schemes like this are vitally important to ensure that people with a strong local connection are given the opportunity to stay in their local area.”

The development will be a mix of two and three-bedroom homes and one and two-bedroom bungalows.

Representatives from Housing Plus Group joined Shropshire Council, Homes England and Pontesbury Parish Council for a recent site visit.

The visit offered an insight into the excellent progress being made by Housing Plus Group’s construction partner on the project, SJ Roberts Construction Ltd.

Mike Sambrook, Managing Director at SJ Roberts Construction Ltd, said: “Once completed, the residents of Mount Close will benefit from homes which include features such as solar PV panels and Air Source Heat Pumps. This will assist hugely with running costs of these vital homes."

Housing Plus Group was awarded £1,000,000 in funding from Homes England for the project, a £200,000 grant from Shropshire Council and it has the backing of Pontesbury Parish Council.

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth, regeneration and housing, said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer grant funding for these much-needed affordable homes, keeping families together and enabling more of our residents to live their best lives.”

Rural Homelessness campaign shortlisted for award

The ‘Rural Homelessness Counts’ coalition aims to raise awareness of the growing homelessness problem in rural areas, and work towards sustainable solutions to tackling it.

Ground-breaking research by the Universities of Kent and Southampton unveiled a stark reality: rural homelessness in England is on the rise, yet it remains largely hidden and overlooked. Official government rough sleeping numbers have risen by 24% in one year, and an alarming 91% of people working to tackle homelessness in rural areas have witnessed a rise in homelessness over the past five years.

The coalition mission is to bring this hidden crisis into the light and work towards sustainable solutions. The coalition aims to:

• Raise awareness of the existence of rural homelessness.
• Develop and advocate for solutions to tackle rural homelessness.
• Encourage the adoption of evidence-based best practices in rural communities.
• Foster partnerships with local authorities, rural housing associations, and other stakeholders to address the unique challenges of rural homelessness.

Led by English Rural Housing Association, this work has been short-listed for ‘Campaign of the Year’ at the upcoming National Affordable Housing Awards in November.

You can read more and sign up to join the Coalition at the following link:
English Rural | ‘Rural Homelessness Counts’ Coalition

Bats protected whilst solar panels fitted to affordable homes

A colony of bats who have made their home in a terrace of 150-year-old houses are being protected by White Horse Housing Association during a £600,000 refurbishment programme.

The bats were found in roof spaces of homes in Ammerdown Terrace, Kilmersdon in Somerset during preparations for the major refurbishment programme, due to start this month. The work, which will include new roofs, better insulation, double glazing, new heating and solar panels, is aimed at raising the energy rating standards of the housing association’s 32 homes in the village.

The first phase of the work will be at a row of 15 two and three-bedroomed cottages in Ammerdown Terrace, just outside the Somerset village. The two and three bedroomed homes, which were built in 1872, will all have new double glazing to the front, internal ceiling, cavity wall and loft insulation. Solar roof panels will be installed to reduce heating costs and also divert any excess power generated to heat the water.

Homes that have not already had their heating upgraded will have a new smart, modern and energy-efficient electric storage heating system installed. Operations Director Belinda Eastland said:

“We first acquired these homes in 2015 and the only form of heating they had in them was multi-fuel burners which ran the back boiler for the central heating. The tenants had to get up in the morning and light the fire to get hot water and heating. The new Quantum storage system, which is far more modern and efficient than older storage heaters, it is programmable and cheap to run.”

Mrs Eastland said the work is essential to meet the government’s energy rating targets.

Tenant Maggy Large, who has lived in Ammerdown Terrace for 30 years, said she is looking forward to the improvements. “It is going to be lovely,” she said. “I’m looking forward to having the solar panels and the double glazing and I’ll be really glad when it’s all done. White Horse Housing are looking after us very well.”

The cost of the work is being met by a £300,000 grant from the government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, with the rest being match-funded by White Horse Housing Association.

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund wave 2.2 opens soon

The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) will upgrade a significant amount of the social housing stock currently below Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C up to that standard. It will support the installation of energy performance measures in social homes in England, and aims to help:

• deliver warm, energy efficient homes
• reduce carbon emissions
• tackle fuel poverty
• support green jobs
• develop the retrofit sector
• improve the comfort, health and well-being of social housing tenants

SHDF Wave 2.2 will open in November. Government will provide full guidance in mid-October, but you can start preparing your bid earlier with help from the Social Housing Retrofit Accelerator (SHRA).

More information is available at:
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: Wave 2 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Rural exception site delivers new homes to Hastoe’s New-Build Standard

Hastoe Housing Association has worked in partnership with Hart District Council and Odiham Parish Council to deliver 12 new homes for local people in Odiham Parish.

It's the first Rural Exception Site to be developed in the Parish and all 12 homes, 9 social rent and 3 shared ownership, have been built to Hastoe’s New-Build Standard. This is a new sustainable standard which adopts a fabric-first approach; reducing carbon emissions and saving residents money on their heating bills. All homes have air-source heat pumps and incorporate other key elements such as reduced water consumption, local vernacular design, minimal impact on the environment, Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) and accessibility features.

The homes were officially opened on 6 October.

Praise for hero builders who tackled blaze as Housing Association welcomes first tenant at village development

Hero builders have been praised for rushing to the rescue of an elderly homeowner after her thatched cottage caught fire.

The builders, who were working on new homes for White Horse Housing Association at Hazel Green in Urchfont, Wiltshire, spotted flames coming from the roof of a 200-year-old cottage next to the site. After calling the fire and rescue service, site manager Mark Hall and colleagues climbed over a 6ft fence to tackle the blaze with fire extinguishers.

Mr Hall, who works for developer Acorn Homes, said:

“I didn’t stop to think, I just wanted to make sure the lady and her two dogs got out. I could see the fire was well ablaze and then it went inside so we went inside the cottage and tried to keep it under control while the other lads were trying to contain the thatch fire until the fire brigade came.”

He and White Horse Housing Association chair David Trethewey welcomed new tenant Claire White to her two-bedroom home when she collected her keys.

She said she had been desperate for somewhere and her six-year-old daughter Meredith to live after her landlord in Devizes decided to sell up. “It is a nightmare, I have been searching for somewhere for a year,” she said.

Miss White, who works as a catering assistant at The Trinity C of E Primary School in Devizes, said she applied to the housing association because her daughter’s father and grandmother live in Chirton and it aims to help people with local links live nearby.

“I cried when I was told I had got this place, I was just so relieved,” she said. “It gives us some certainty and security. I’m just so grateful to White Horse Housing Association.”