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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/apr/15/rural-lobby-housebuilding-countryside
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| The rural lobby and sustainable housebuilding in the countryside | The rural lobby and sustainable housebuilding in the countryside |
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| Peter Hetherington states that "A vocal lobby, from the chairman of the National Trust to the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is seemingly against any development, presumably preferring soulless villages, set in aspic and largely devoid of life" (Who will lead the renaissance for rural communities?, 9 April 2013). This is patently untrue. A recent review of CPRE's housing policies, led by our dedicated grassroots organisation, resulted in a statement (available on our website) that said: "Meeting the housing needs of rural communities is particularly important if they are to thrive." | Peter Hetherington states that "A vocal lobby, from the chairman of the National Trust to the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is seemingly against any development, presumably preferring soulless villages, set in aspic and largely devoid of life" (Who will lead the renaissance for rural communities?, 9 April 2013). This is patently untrue. A recent review of CPRE's housing policies, led by our dedicated grassroots organisation, resulted in a statement (available on our website) that said: "Meeting the housing needs of rural communities is particularly important if they are to thrive." |
| And this statement is backed by action. Our Leicestershire branch part-funds a rural housing enabler, whose job it is to get rural affordable housing built to meet needs in our villages and market towns. And a few years ago our Suffolk branch, in partnership with local councils and Orwell Housing Association, led a pioneering design competition for new affordable housing in the village of Elmswell. The result was 26 energy-efficient new affordable homes. | And this statement is backed by action. Our Leicestershire branch part-funds a rural housing enabler, whose job it is to get rural affordable housing built to meet needs in our villages and market towns. And a few years ago our Suffolk branch, in partnership with local councils and Orwell Housing Association, led a pioneering design competition for new affordable housing in the village of Elmswell. The result was 26 energy-efficient new affordable homes. |
| It is true that CPRE opposes unsustainable housing development which would unnecessarily damage our countryside. But we understand that to avoid this very damage, we must support alternatives which offer a sustainable and long-term solution to our housing crisis. Kate Houghton Planning officer, CPRE | It is true that CPRE opposes unsustainable housing development which would unnecessarily damage our countryside. But we understand that to avoid this very damage, we must support alternatives which offer a sustainable and long-term solution to our housing crisis. Kate Houghton Planning officer, CPRE |
| • If Peter Hetherington includes the Countryside Alliance in what he describes as a "self-appointed countryside lobby" who are against the building of new homes in rural towns and villages, "preferring soulless villages, set in aspic and largely devoid of life", he is very wrong. The Countryside Alliance lobbies for the provision of affordable housing in rural areas. We agree with former Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) chairman Stuart Burgess's assertion that villages could easily take another 10 houses. | • If Peter Hetherington includes the Countryside Alliance in what he describes as a "self-appointed countryside lobby" who are against the building of new homes in rural towns and villages, "preferring soulless villages, set in aspic and largely devoid of life", he is very wrong. The Countryside Alliance lobbies for the provision of affordable housing in rural areas. We agree with former Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) chairman Stuart Burgess's assertion that villages could easily take another 10 houses. |
| Furthermore, the loss of the CRC is not the disaster for rural communities that Hetherington believes. We have no need of a quango that was used by the Labour government more as an obstacle to easy discourse between the countryside and Whitehall than as a conduit. | Furthermore, the loss of the CRC is not the disaster for rural communities that Hetherington believes. We have no need of a quango that was used by the Labour government more as an obstacle to easy discourse between the countryside and Whitehall than as a conduit. |
| We and organisations including the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers' Union are fighting for the many rural issues that matter to our 100,000 members. Barney White-Spunner Countryside Alliance | We and organisations including the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers' Union are fighting for the many rural issues that matter to our 100,000 members. Barney White-Spunner Countryside Alliance |
| • Peter Hetherington is right that the anti-development lobby does not speak for the quiet majority of rural communities. But he is wrong on one point: these communities are anything but silent. | • Peter Hetherington is right that the anti-development lobby does not speak for the quiet majority of rural communities. But he is wrong on one point: these communities are anything but silent. |
| You could almost hear the gasps from all corners of the countryside when Stuart Burgess bravely called for rural communities to accept a modest number of new affordable homes in their village. However, what he says is already happening on a grassroots level: hundreds of villages across the country are not only saying yes to affordable housing but are taking the development of new housing into their own hands by setting up Community Land Trusts (CLTs). | You could almost hear the gasps from all corners of the countryside when Stuart Burgess bravely called for rural communities to accept a modest number of new affordable homes in their village. However, what he says is already happening on a grassroots level: hundreds of villages across the country are not only saying yes to affordable housing but are taking the development of new housing into their own hands by setting up Community Land Trusts (CLTs). |
| This includes Cumbria's Lyvennet Community Trust, which has developed 12 affordable homes for local families, eight self-build plots, and has also purchased a redundant local pub, turning it into a thriving business. These are community-owned assets available at permanently affordable rates to benefit generations to come. Lyvennet Community Trust is joined by over 150 CLTs across the country – community-based organisations run by local volunteers. For them, housing is not a threat to a rural paradise, but an opportunity to enhance community life and set the course for a vibrant, sustainable future. Catherine Harrington National CLT Network | This includes Cumbria's Lyvennet Community Trust, which has developed 12 affordable homes for local families, eight self-build plots, and has also purchased a redundant local pub, turning it into a thriving business. These are community-owned assets available at permanently affordable rates to benefit generations to come. Lyvennet Community Trust is joined by over 150 CLTs across the country – community-based organisations run by local volunteers. For them, housing is not a threat to a rural paradise, but an opportunity to enhance community life and set the course for a vibrant, sustainable future. Catherine Harrington National CLT Network |
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