Spotlight on Rural Housing - October 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

National Rural Survey launched

The Rural Services Network (RSN) has launched the Delivering for All Survey , a landmark research project capturing the realities of rural life across England.

This national survey takes just 8–10 minutes to complete and covers a range of key issues: housing, healthcare, transport, digital connectivity, planning, and net zero priorities.

As many people as possible are being asked to respond to the survey which will directly inform RSN’s work with Government, MPs, and Select Committees as they push for fairer funding and better services for rural communities.

The more people who take part, the stronger the collective voice becomes. You can access the survey through this link: National Rural Conference Launches Major New Survey to Champion Rural Voices - Rural Services Network

Construction starts on 10-home development in Shropshire

Work has started on ten new affordable homes at Marton in Shropshire. The homes are being built by SJ Roberts Construction on behalf of Connexus. 

The one-, two- and three-bedroom homes will be a mix of social rent and shared ownership and will sit alongside an existing Connexus development of six homes on the outskirts of the village. They will each benefit from energy efficient features that include air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, while the wider development will be planted with native trees and shrubs to protect and improve existing ecological habitats.

Bird and bat boxes will be installed across the site, and hedgehog fencing will be used to allow hedgehogs and other small mammals to move around safely. A public space for use by the whole community will also be created.

Amanda Knowles, head of development at Connexus, said:

“Affordable housing is so important to the sustainability of rural villages, and we’ve worked very closely with Shropshire Council, the local councillor, and the community in Marton, to plan a development that will truly meet the local housing need.” 

Councillor Heather Kidd, Shropshire Council said:  

“I am delighted to see more homes being built in Chirbury and Worthen Division. Private rents are now so high here that they are forcing people to move away from family, friends and their jobs. Being a mix of social rent, and homes to part buy gives opportunities to many local people they would not normally have. They will hopefully help keep Chirbury school and nursery school thriving too.”

For more information about the scheme, contact [email protected]

New Research Highlights Complex Challenges of Rural Electrification

A new report commissioned by Rural England CIC and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), and undertaken by the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI), reveals the significant barriers facing rural households in the transition to low-carbon heating and electrification.

The Challenges for Rural Electrification (August 2025) draws on expert interviews and focus groups with rural householders to examine the realities of decarbonising rural homes.

The study identifies five key themes shaping rural households’ experience of electrification:

• A complicated picture – Policy and delivery are fragmented, with a perception that urban areas are prioritised for investment over rural ones.
• Hidden retrofit costs – Even with grants, many rural homes face additional costs due to older housing stock, conservation restrictions, and disruption during installation.
• Trust and negative noise – Conflicting information, misinformation, and poor experiences undermine householders’ confidence in new technologies.
• Capacity and supply – Limited grid capacity, skills shortages, and a reliance on “mono-technology” approaches (such as heat pumps alone) hinder adoption.
• Rural nuance – Distinct rural factors, including housing types, ageing populations, and cultural preferences for independence and traditional heating, shape decisions.

The report warns that without a more inclusive and flexible strategy, rural areas risk being “left behind” in the transition to cleaner heating. It recommends:

• Building trust through consistent, community-based engagement.
• Supporting locally tailored solutions, rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
• Addressing hidden costs through financial incentives and fairer green finance.
• Harnessing the enthusiasm of early adopters and community energy groups.
• Ensuring investment in skills and infrastructure to support rural delivery.

Melanie Thompson-Glen, Head of Business and Innovation, NICRE said:

“This research in Gloucestershire mirrors what we’re seeing in the North East through our CAIRN project – that successful rural energy transitions must be rooted in community. When solutions take local culture, trust and practical challenges seriously, they’re far more likely to take hold. It’s another reminder of the power of community-led innovation in shaping a fair and effective path to net zero.”

You can read the full report here: Rural electrification - NICRE

Hastoe’s Curdridge development welcomes BBC crew to site

In mid-September, Hastoe Housing Association teamed up with its partners at Action Hampshire to host a BBC journalist and camera crew on site at its 8-home affordable housing scheme in Curdridge, Hampshire.

The BBC filmed a short broadcast piece for its regional Politics South show about the critical importance of building more affordable housing to help rural communities thrive. The article also covered the unique nature of rural exception sites in enabling this to happen.

The journalist interviewed Hastoe’s Regional Development and Sales Manager Chris Meadows, Claire Morgan from Action Hampshire, Eric Bodger from Curdridge Parish Council and Rob Medway, the local landowner.

Curdridge has been a number of years in the planning and its 8 social rent and shared ownership homes are nearing completion. The scheme is a great example of what can happen when the right parties are supportive and come together to unlock more much-needed affordable housing, to help rural villages thrive.

The piece is available to watch on iPlayer for the next 28 days and an online article can be read here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ry31l14eo

Rural Housing Enabler programme critical says formal evaluation

An evaluation of the Defra-funded Rural Housing Enabler (RHE) Programme has confirmed the critical role RHEs play in helping rural communities address the shortage of affordable homes. The programme is delivered through the ACRE Network (Action with Communities in Rural England).

In 2025 ACRE commissioned a comprehensive evaluation of the programme, jointly produced by the Countryside Community Research Institute and EAP Research Consultancy. The purpose of the evaluation was to examine the need for RHEs in tackling the affordable housing crisis in the UK, the role RHEs play in enabling homes to be built, and the impact the programme has on rural communities.

The evaluation identified many key outcomes, including:

• RHEs are playing a vital role in building local trust, evidencing need, and raising awareness of rural affordable housing development processes
• As of early 2025, RHEs had built up a pipeline of 227 prospective rural housing schemes (over 2,100 potential homes)
• Local partners are clear that without RHE input, work on rural affordable housing would significantly reduce due to resource constraints and a focus on urban sites – disadvantaging rural communities.
• A social return on investment model indicates that for every £1 spent over 3 years there is an estimated £3.30 generated in social outcome benefits.

You can take a look at the full evaluation report at the following link: Evaluation of the Defra-funded Rural Housing Enabler Programme - ACRE

Backing rural homes, backing communities: Rooftop celebrates success in Worcestershire village

Rooftop Housing Group celebrated its success in another rural housing development with a special event held in July at Broadway Lane in Fladbury, Worcestershire. The event showcased how rural housing can directly benefit communities, also highlighting the urgent need for consistent government support to make more affordable housing like this a reality.

The event brought together stakeholders, including representatives from Homes England, Wychavon District Council, the local Parish Council, the developer Owl Partnership Ltd., and board members and colleagues from Rooftop. A local resident who had spoken in support of the scheme also joined the celebration, demonstrating the importance of community voices in shaping rural development.

Fladbury is a traditional English village situated in rural Worcestershire, approximately five miles from Pershore and Evesham, with a population of under 1,000 people.

The latest Broadway Lane development in Fladbury will deliver 34 affordable homes this year - 21 homes for social rent and 13 homes for shared ownership. The homes include a mix of one-bed flats, one- to two-bed bungalows, and two- to three-bed houses.

Building on a rural exception site, the development was designed to meet the diverse local needs, enabling young people to move out of the family home, supporting downsizers to stay local or giving families space to grow.

All properties include solar panels and electric vehicle charging points. For customers with limited mobility, wet-room shower rooms have been designed in all bungalows and low-profile shower trays on ground-floor flats to support their independent living.

Nearly half of the site has been allocated as Public Open Space, including a rainwater infiltration basin to support biodiversity and reduce flood risk.

Homes will be allocated based on local connections to help keep communities together.

The development also delivers wider community benefits through financial contributions to education facilities provision, school and community transport, and public open space.

Boris Worrall, Chief Executive of Rooftop Housing Group, said:

“Housing is vital to enable rural communities to continue to thrive. So we are proud to be able to provide high quality homes for local people at a price which is affordable to rent or buy through Shared Ownership. This is a great example of how we can get new homes delivered in partnership with the local council, developers and Homes England.”

The Princess Royal Opens New Affordable Rural Homes in Kent

In September, English Rural Housing Association was honoured to welcome its patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to officially open the innovative Millbrook affordable housing development in Chiddingstone Chequers, Kent. The Princess Royal’s visit marks a significant milestone for the local community, celebrating the collaborative efforts that have helped tackle England’s rural housing challenges.

Delivered in partnership with Sevenoaks District Council and Chiddingstone Parish Council, the £2.44 million scheme provides eight high-quality homes for affordable rent, directly addressing the pressing housing needs of local people. Located in the picturesque hamlet of Bough Beech, the development features a mix of maisonettes and semi-detached houses, all designed in traditional Kentish style using red brick and tile. Built with timber frame construction, the homes incorporate energy-efficient technologies such as air source heat pumps and solar PV panels, achieving a minimum EPC rating of B85.

Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, commented, “It is an honour to welcome our patron HRH The Princess Royal to officially open our Millbrook development. This development is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, councils, and housing associations work together. These homes will allow local people to remain in the area they know and love, strengthening the fabric of rural life in Kent.”

You can read more about the scheme at the following link: English Rural | The Princess Royal Opens New Affordable Rural Homes in Kent

Connexus ‘building momentum’ with investment and modernisation drive

Connexus has said it is “building momentum” in its newly published Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2024/25.

The organisation, which owns and manages around 10,500 homes across Shropshire and Herefordshire, attracted inward investment of £100 million during the year and invested nearly £50 million in new developments, stock acquisition, and the refurbishment of existing homes.

2024/25 saw the establishment of a new executive leadership team and the launch of a refreshed corporate plan, which aims to improve its efficiency, simplify organisational structures, and create more efficient ways working.

Kate Smith, Chief Executive of Connexus, said:

“We are building momentum across Connexus. With the business under new leadership and with a real collective appetite for change, we have worked hard to begin a programme of modernisation, which will see Connexus better able to deliver for our customers.

“This includes a more outward facing collaborative approach, working with our stakeholders and partners to build stronger ties with our customers and the rural communities we serve.”

In 2024/25 Connexus invested over £25 million in developing new rural affordable housing across the West Midlands and more than £22 million in improving existing homes to modern standards.

In September, Connexus confirmed Anne Turner as the new Chair of its Board, succeeding Michele Ibbs who has completed a three-year term in the role. Anne had over 25 years of senior executive experience in housing, before continuing in the sector as a non-executive in various housing associations. She joined the Connexus Board in 2024.

Government consults on Warm Home Discount Scheme

Government is seeking views on the design of the Warm Home Discount scheme from winter 2026 to 2027 to 2030 to 2031.

This consultation sets out the government’s proposals for the new scheme period and is gathering feedback from stakeholders on:

• the design of the core elements of the scheme
• options for the next scheme period in Scotland
• proposals to change the administration of the scheme
• a call for evidence on Industry Initiatives
• a call for suggestions for future improvements during the next scheme period

This consultation closes on 20 November 2025 and you can read more at the following link: Continuing the Warm Home Discount Scheme - GOV.UK