Changes to rural housing regime proposed in Wales

New measures to boost the availability of rural and more affordable housing have been proposed by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

A consultation document on sustaining rural communities drawn up by WAG proposes that new-build housing should be allowed for those working in legitimate rural businesses, farmers who are retiring and family members working on farms.

The administration is also proposing that all new housing developments must contribute to the provision of affordable housing.

WAG also wants planning authorities to develop policies for "low impact development schemes" where people live and work on the land and are self-sustaining in food, energy and waste.

Environment minister Jane Davidson stressed that the Government was determined to use planning guidelines to help build "living, sustainable communities".

She said: "One of the ways of developing rural communities for the 21st century is to extend the Technical Advice Note (TAN) 6 definition of rural worker when considering essential dwellings."

The minister added: "We need to expand this beyond the current description which covers agricultural or forestry workers."

Read the Welsh Assembly Government press release.

Roger Milne

10 July 2008