Rural Designation of Parishes in South Somerset

On the 1  April 2021 the former district executive team concluded that the council should apply to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to formally designate our parishes with a population of less than 3,000 as ‘rural’ under section 157 of the Housing Act 1985.

The council received notification from the right to buy team at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, that the legislation for our requested parishes to be designated as rural had been laid in Parliament. The Statutory Instrument came into force on Monday 29 November 2021 - The Housing (Right to Buy) (Designated Rural Areas and Designated Regions) (England) Order 2021. This designation is an important policy tool, and the reasons for seeking it are explained in the report to District Executive on 1 April 2021.

Last updated: July 9, 2024

Next review due: January 9, 2025

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