Researchers examined likely future changes in housing markets in rural areas in England in the wider context of changing housing market pressures and government policies on affordable housing and housing benefit. They warned that cuts in housing benefit rules threatened to break up rural communities.

Source: Anna Clarke and Sarah Monk, Rural Housing at a Time of Economic Change, Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research (University of Cambridge)

Links: Report | Summary | Newcastle University press release | RSN Online report

Date: 2012-May

An article examined the problem of how to define local housing needs in rural areas in England. Local communities often felt that 'official' priorities did not reflect the true nature of local need – something that supported the coalition government's localism agenda, a component of which was the empowerment of parish councils to deliver additional homes for 'local need', above planned allocations. However, although community perspectives might became vital in driving future policy outcomes, there were associated risks. In particular, a dominant minority might draw narrow definitions of localness and local interest as a means of closing the door to unwanted development.

Source: Nick Gallent and Steve Robinson, 'Community perspectives on localness and "priority" housing policies in rural England', Housing Studies, Volume 27 Number 3

Links: Abstract

Date: 2012-Apr