Rural housing
Affordable housing
A lack of affordable housing is a common problem experienced in rural communities and has been across the region for a number of years. Incomes in rural areas tend to be lower than the regional average which makes it difficult for people working locally to live in the village where they work. High house prices prevent first-time buyers from getting a foothold in the housing market.
More affordable homes in small villages would support local people of all ages to live and work in rural areas and would support the creation of sustainable communities.
The Strategic Housing Team is keen to support and advise rural communities and parish councils that wish to develop an affordable housing scheme for local people.
If a parish council is aware of local concerns about unmet housing need or where the issue of housing need has arisen as part of the Neighbourhood Planning process, then they should consider what action to take. This is where the Strategic Housing Team will be able to advise on what options are available.
The delivery of affordable housing is a big project to undertake and can be daunting. The Rural Housing Alliance - Parish Councillors' Guide to Rural Affordable Housing is designed to address some of the questions you may have.
The Strategic Housing Team work closely with parish councils, local residents, registered housing providers, homebuilders, our planning policy team, and many other groups, to understand rural housing across West Suffolk.
Housing needs surveys
To support and inform our work, we research the housing needs within rural areas. parish councils can also commission independent housing needs studies to understand their local housing need. A number of local housing needs surveys have been completed. These have been in:
- Cavendish
- Barton Mills
- Risby
- Wickhambrook
West Suffolk Council currently have funding available to support Housing Needs Surveys, please contact housing.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk for further information.
Rural exception sites
The purpose of a rural exception site is to deliver homes for people that have a local connection to the village. This type of site is also important to sustain rural communities. A rural exception site is a site that sits outside the development framework boundary, which would never normally be given planning consent but may be considered where it provides affordable homes for local people.
Homes can only be brought forward on these sites if there is a proven unmet local need for affordable housing and a legal planning agreement, also known as a Section 106 agreement, is put in place to ensure that the homes will always remain affordable. This includes restricting the percentage that can be purchased under shared ownership properties to an 80 per cent share. The Section 106 agreement also ensures that the homes will be for those in need of housing and prioritised for applicants with a strong local connection to the parish which is also secured through a nominations agreement with a local lettings plan.
Guidance set out in the Government's National Planning Framework may allow a small element of market housing to be developed on rural exception sites to support the delivery of affordable housing where sufficient public subsidy is not available.
Land value of a rural exception site is valued lower as it sits outside the development framework for that area. As the land value is cheaper, more affordable homes can be delivered for local people.
We are proud of our record of bringing forward affordable homes for local people through the exception site policy, working with local communities and parish councils to provide homes supported and welcomed by the local community.
We encourage people to bring forward sites in their village that the community and parish are keen to see developed as affordable housing for local people.
Do I have a local connection?
In relation to rural exception sites, local connection means that you have a strong connection to a specific parish or village.
We consider your local connection, in line with our West Suffolk Council Lettings Policy. Nominations agreements will be created for each site brought forward outlining the specific local connection criteria that must be met. A local lettings plan will also be created outlining the specific requirements for each individual development.
It is important to register on Home-link as soon as you can, as you cannot be nominated for affordable housing if not registered. If you wait until new homes are ready before asking for nomination, it may be too late. If applying for shared ownership you must also be registered with the approved registered provider bringing forward the shared ownership properties.
Affordable Housing Guide
West Suffolk Council recognise that there are particular challenges in providing affordable housing for the people living in or with connections to its many rural areas. With this in mind, we have produced an Affordable Housing Guide to assist all those involved in the development of these much needed homes.
Contact Strategic Housing
We are always on the lookout for suitable sites for rural affordable housing. If you know of any such sites, please contact the Strategic Housing Team via the email address below.
We would be very happy to come and talk to any local community group about affordable housing in your rural area.
Email housing.development@westsuffolk.gov.uk