Introducing the paper in the House of Commons, John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister said the Housing Corporation’s rural programme would be doubled by 2003-4.
"This, together with local planning reforms, will provide a total of 3000 affordable homes a year in small rural settlements and a total of around 9000 homes a year across all rural districts," he said.
The paper aims to increase affordable dwellings in small villages to make up 6.4 per cent of the total, from 3.4 per cent now.
Market towns, where most new affordable housing is to be built, would also benefit from a £37m hike in funding, Prescott said.
And the White Paper will also see councils in England able to charge full council tax on second homes, as in Wales: "There are strong feelings of resentment in some areas that second home owners benefit from a 50 per cent discount while local people can not find enough affordable housing," said Prescott.
He added: "We propose to use the proceeds for extra affordable housing. This will be discretionary, but it could be worth up to £150m a year."
But while Moira Constable, chief executive at the Rural housing trust gave the White Paper "about eight out of ten for ambition and commitment", she added: "(The council tax reform) is a fudge. Many councils will not increase the charge unless directed to do so."
Councillor Pat Aston, the Local Government Association’s rural executive spokeswoman, said more connection should have been made between urban and rural communities in the paper.
The government will also urge councils to increase restrictions on the sale of houses by those who have bought their country council homes, to stem a reduction of rural affordable homes.
Other moves include; a beefed-up role for Regional Development agencies and a general increase of £37m for funding for market town regeneration, making a £100m pot.
Source
Housing Today
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