Ministers look at rural housing

MINISTERS met Countryside Agency bosses in Chiddingly on Monday to discuss affordable housing schemes in the area.

Lord Falconer, Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, and Alun Michael, Minister of State for Rural Affairs, were both present to talk about the issues surrounding cheap housing and seek opinions on the Government s proposed new planning system.

The aim of the system is to improve the amount and quality of affordable housing in rural areas like Wealden. By making developers pay a tariff for new developments, local authorities could acquire a pot of cash to be used on more affordable housing.

Scarce

However, the Countryside Agency is concerned that, in rural areas where potential sites are scarce, a tariff in the form of money would not provide the affordable housing where it is most needed.

On Monday the two ministers visited a small affordable housing development in Muddles Green, near Chiddingly. They were joined by Charlie Lant, director of housing for Wealden District Council, leader of the council Cllr Rupert Thornely-Taylor, David Wilkinson, director of development and regeneration for the New Downland Housing Association, and district councillor for Chiddingly, Sylvia Tidy.

Four members of the Countryside Agency also attended, including deputy chairman Pam Warhurst, chief executive Richard Wakeford, director Margaret Clark and Jo Lavis, the senior policy officer.

The agency wanted to voice concerns about aspects of the scheme, including the discouraging effect a tariff may have on developers.

Interim

It also believes that, given the acute need for affordable housing in many rural areas now, an interim measure is required while the housing system green paper works its way through Government.

Lord Falconer said: 'This is an impressive scheme. One of the problems in rural areas is that people who need affordable housing don t think they can stay in their local area. We need to listen to what people say about the new system and take on board their concerns.

Alun Michael added: 'Many rural villages like this have housing needs. If we control everything centrally, we need to take a "mix and match" approach to suit everyone s requirements.