A shortage of housing in rural areas has increased prices and excluded middle-income groups and younger people from rural Britain. House prices in rural England are 25% higher than in urban areas. There is also much less social and affordable housing in rural areas for those unable to buy.

Planning policies that encourage rather than prevent affordable rural housing. Sustainable communities require affordable housing. Reinstating a national target for affordable rural housing.
More finance from a combination of public investment and cross-subsidy. Fewer market houses mean less scope for cross-subsidy and greater demands on the public purse. Cross-subsidy on exception sites in smaller settlements. Quotas of affordable housing remain vital in larger schemes. Leadership to challenge the “concreting over the countryside” myth and highlight the consequences of a lack of affordable housing. Unlocking of surplus public sector land by ensuring “greatest public benefit” rather than “best value”. Support for community land trusts and other innovative, local approaches. Exempting villages from the bedroom tax.