Throughout Rural Housing Week (7 to 11 July), Somerset Council is highlighting the importance of accessing affordable housing in rural communities.
A combination of high property prices, limited availability of private rental properties, and lower income levels all contribute to an ongoing housing crisis in rural counties like Somerset. This lack of affordable housing means that residents, and especially younger families, are less likely to remain in rural areas, threatening the survival of rural communities.
Somerset Council is committed to finding solutions to this crisis and has an Affordable Housing team which is dedicated to supporting the increase of affordable housing.
In 2024, 111 affordable homes were built in Somerset’s rural communities. Looking ahead, Somerset Council is working to continue increasing the number of affordable houses in its most rural communities where there is a high housing need. The Affordable Housing team is currently working with their affordable housing partners and developers on several new developments, which will provide much-needed housing for low-income families, young professionals, and elderly residents in rural areas.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness at Somerset Council said:
We are working hard to increase the number of affordable homes in Somerset’s rural communities because we understand the importance of accessing housing for our residents.
This is particularly important for younger people of working age who we know are being impacted in their ability to get on the housing ladder due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Our efforts cannot be funded solely by the Council and, although we have excellent partnerships with local housing providers, much of our future progress will rely on a significant increase of financial support from central Government.
While the Government’s recent spending review’s commitment to boost funding for Local Authorities is encouraging, the specifics of how this additional funding will translate into more homes in Somerset remain unclear, especially since their focus seems to be on urban areas.
One of the rural planning applications which is currently being considered in Somerset would deliver 9 much needed affordable homes at Wheddon Cross on Exmoor National Park. This is a mix of social rent and discounted home ownership dwellings. Watch a short video where Chris Meadows, Regional Development and Sales Manager at Hastoe Group, a rural affordable homes specialist and Cherwyn Development’s partner on the project, discusses the benefits of rural housing.
Another planning application currently being considered is for 5 social rent homes in West Bagborough with Falcon Rural Housing, a key rural housing partner in Somerset. If this application is approved the affordable homes will meet much of the affordable housing need in this very rural community.
Additionally, partly funded by Somerset Council, LiveWest completed the delivery of 12 fully wheelchair adapted homes in Bishops Lydeard earlier this year. 8 of these homes were specifically designed for residents with learning difficulties in collaboration with Somerset Council’s Affordable Housing and Adults Services teams.
For more information about affordable housing in Somerset, visit the Council’s Affordable housing in Somerset page.
