As plans emerge to encourage Registered Social Landlords to buy the properties of struggling private developers, Sir Edward Greenwell, new Chairman of the Rural Housing Trust and past President of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA), says that villages will lose out if Government does not ensure continuing funding of affordable rural housing developments.

"The Trust hopes that money promised for rural housing is not diverted in these times of economic uncertainty. There is still an urgent need and a demand for more affordable housing in villages," said Sir Edward.

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He added: "Village schemes are already penalised because value for money considerations mean that they struggle to attract funding. Small developments in villages are by their nature more expensive to produce, especially when several years of community based fieldwork have been invested to gain acceptance of a proposal and ensure it meets local needs."

"Government says affordable rural housing is a priority and the policies are there to make it happen, but the reality is that much-needed schemes are denied funding when opportunities to boost delivery come more easily with larger, urban developments."

(CD/JM)