“Transforming the perception of affordable rural housing” [English Rural Housing Association]
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There are some very solid and not-necessarily-expensive ways for citizens and families to make their home more sustainable and energy efficient – and potentially help achieve net-zero emissions – and the Climate Awareness Partnership Sidmouth offers both practical Advice & Grants and what actions to take around the home to save both a little money and to save the planet a little.
There are also some very solid and not-necessarily-expensive ways for house-builders, local authorities and other key stakeholders to build housing which is more sustainable and energy efficient – and potentially help achieve net-zero emissions – in the first place.
And firstly, it’s important, according to the Rural Services Network, that in order to achieve Net Zero in rural communities any measures should “include tailoring to the distinct energy needs of rural properties, particularly those off the mains gas grid, ensuring a fair and equitable transition for all, [as these] face higher annual energy costs compared to urban homes.”
Another area of ‘unfairness and inequality’ is the comparative lack of housing supply in rural areas, also highlighted by the RSN as it looks to the challenges and constraints in England’s housing supply: “Simplifying planning processes, increasing the availability of developable land, and re-evaluating land-use restrictions, particularly in rural regions, could enhance housing supply elasticity. Additionally, targeted policies to incentivize development in rural high-demand areas could help mitigate the housing shortage and promote sustainable rural communities.”
The point is that areas such as the Sid Valley impose huge restrictions on new housing – net-zero or otherwise – but there is a clear need. The question is how to provide it, in a way that truly ‘promotes sustainable rural communities’.
Here are some current ideas:
1: Perhaps rural communities can lead the transition to net zero “where communities can shape the future of their area themselves” – with a process focussing on really engaging people in Warwick and Stratford.
2: The new government is looking to bring in centrally-determined housing targets once again – but the Local Government Association proposes transforming housing through five-year funding regimes and in particular “the devolution of housing funding and decision-making to local authorities [which] would allow for more tailored and effective responses to the specific housing needs of different regions”.
3: The English Rural Housing Association, in collaboration with a panel of rural experts and advocates, has launched “a ground-breaking initiative aimed at transforming the perception of affordable rural housing… By challenging the stigma surrounding social housing and embracing good design principles that are valued by the local community, we can create homes that are not only affordable but also beautiful.”
‘A Design Guide: Building Tomorrow’s Rural Communities‘ – launched last month.
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