We've worked with stakeholders to track progress on implementing the recommendations of the ARHC. The recommendations have the potential to allow rural communities to benefit from small developments of affordable housing that could make a real difference to their viability.

Our new report 'Assessment of the implementation of the Affordable Rural HousingCommission’s recommendations' shows that although some of the essential elements have been put in place, there are still key gaps which need to be addressed.

The new report builds on 'Taking Forward the Recommendations of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission' which made proposals intended to help inform the development of emerging policy and practice by national, regional and local agencies.

'Assessing the Rural Content of Regional Spatial and Housing Strategies', examining how rural issues are being dealt with, analysing prospects for change and making recommendations for future practice.

Other work on this watchdog project includes:

• Calculating Housing Needs in Rural England, which estimates that between 14,000 and 19,000 new affordable homes are needed annually to meet need in rural communities.

• research into how rural housing needs are affected by in and out migration from rural communities

• best practice case-studies demonstrating approaches to improve supply, such as sub-regional working, identifying sites by plan or market led approaches and building properties without use of public subsidy

• a discussion on ‘What do we mean by sustainable rural communities’, to influence how sustainability, in a rural context, is taken forward by regional and local planning bodies

• 'Affordable Rural Housing Commission: One Year On' conference, reporting our interim findings on the progress in taking the ARHC recommendations forward.

Our work over the next year will build on the foundations laid by government in the Housing Green Paper. To make the most of these opportunities further action is needed:

• the partial review of Regional Spatial Strategies announced by government needs to result in a much more positive approach to delivering affordable rural housing

• local authorities, through their planning strategies and by exploring new ventures, need to seize the opportunities now available to address the shortage of affordable housing in their rural communities, which many have already identified as a corporate priority

• rural communities need to engage positively in moves to provide the homes that will help assure their long-term future

Case Studies

• Making It Happen: HARAH - Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing

• Making It Happen: Buckland Newton, Dorset

• Making It Happen: Wealden District Council

• Making It Happen: South Hams District Council's Approach

• Making It Happen: South Somerset Homes

• Making It Happen: Derbyshire Dales & High Peak

• Making It Happen: The Cumbria Sub-Regional Housing Group

Useful Links

• Our response to PPS3
  

• Press Release: Affordable Rural Housing: Making the Goodman report work'

• Using the Additional Revenue from Reducing Council Tax Discount on Second Homes

• The full Affordable Rural Housing Commission report
  

• Parish Plans: Guidance for parish and town councils

• Parish Plans and the Planning System: Guidance and advice for local planning authorities

• Town Design Statements: why and how to produce them

• Concept Statements and Local Development Documents - Practical guidance for local planning authorities

• Business in the Community - Creating a Sense of Place
  

• For advice on sustainable development issues visit Hastoe Housing Association's Sustainable Homes project