New ways to boost the availability of rural and more affordable housing for local people working and living in the countryside were outlined by Environment, Sustainability and Housing Minister Jane Davidson today.
The proposals aim to address the issues of providing homes for retiring farmers and for family members working on farms who have difficulty finding affordable housing.
The overall aim is to provide changes to the planning system that would make communities throughout Wales more sustainable.
A number of innovative proposals on sustaining rural communities are outlined in the consultation document to:
- Allow new-build housing for people working in legitimate rural businesses, farmers who are retiring and family members working on the farm.
- All new housing developments will have to contribute towards the provision of affordable homes.
- Enable local 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.
The Consultation can be found at:
http://new.wales.gov.uk/consultations/currentconsultation/
