Rural Housing Enablement

Rural Exception Sites  

Rural villages can be transformed by small schemes of well designed, affordable  rented homes  which are only available only to people with local connections.  This means the people can live where they want to live, whether to be close to family, for work or because they are rooted in their community.   

These schemes do far more than provide homes for local people.  They invigorate the local economy, provide essential key workers in schools, care homes and a local workforce for rural businesses in shops, pubs, farms and tourist attractions.   

What is a Rural Exception Site? 

These are “small sites used for affordable housing in perpetuity where sites would not normally be used for housing.  Rural Exception Sites seek to address the needs of the local community by accommodating households who are either current residents or have an existing family or employment connection” (National Planning Policy Framework).  

For many villages, rural exception sites are the only form of residential development allowed under local planning rules to meet the needs of local residents.   Some village have produced a neighbourhood plan and identified suitable sites.  Others may not have considered what their local housing needs are.  Either way, our Rural Housing Enablement team can help.  

What is a Rural Housing Enabler? 

RHE’s provide independent support and advice to help rural communities consider the need for affordable housing locally, and work with landowners, housebuilders, planners and communities to bring about suitable schemes.  

Want to know more? 

Register your interest by emailing i[email protected] or click here to sign up for Rural Housing Enablement to receive regular newsletters, information about events and to read case studies of successful sites.  

KEEP UPDATED