Rural communities need large-scale economic regeneration if a housing crisis is to be avoided, housing minister Lord Rooker has said.
Speaking at the Rural Affairs Forum on Friday, he said the migration of young people from the countryside in search of affordable housing was undermining the stability of rural communities.

He said: " We have to reverse the policies which have led to the creation of dormitory towns and villages that are full of commuters. Providing more affordable homes needs to be underpinned by the sort of economic regeneration efforts that are starting to bear fruit in our towns and cities.

"Westminster, dominated by urban dwellers, should not dictate the details of the rural agenda, but show it listens to rural dwellers."

The government plans to deliver 9000 affordable homes a year in rural areas by 2003/04. It has also doubled the Housing Corporation's approved development programme in small villages, from providing 800 houses in 2000/01 to 1600 in 2003/04.

Source

Housing Today