Devon County Council has welcomed the Government’s decision to drop plans that would have removed affordable housing requirements from housing developments of between 10 and 49 homes.
The change follows concerns from housing organisations and rural communities that the proposals could have significantly reduced the number of affordable homes being built in areas like Devon, where medium-sized developments play a vital role in meeting local housing need.
National Housing Federation analysis found that more than half of all affordable homes delivered in the most rural parts of England come from developments of this size.
The decision comes at a time when demand for affordable housing continues to grow across Devon. The county faces a well-documented shortage of social and affordable homes, with housing waiting lists remaining high and many families struggling to find somewhere they can afford to live.
Devon’s housing challenges have been highlighted repeatedly by the Devon Housing Commission, which described the county as facing an acute shortage of affordable housing.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, said:
“This is the right decision for rural communities. In places like Devon, many affordable homes are delivered through developments of 10 to 49 properties. If the requirement for affordable housing had been removed, it would have become even harder for local families, young people and key workers to find somewhere they can afford to live.
“We know the demand is there. Too many people are struggling to find an affordable home in the communities where they grew up or where they work. Protecting affordable housing requirements on these sites will help ensure rural communities remain thriving and sustainable places to live.”
The council also highlighted work already under way through the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Partners across Devon and Torbay have developed a county-wide pipeline of priority housing sites with Homes England and are working to secure investment through the Government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme. A key aim is to increase the proportion of affordable homes delivered on new developments and bring forward more genuinely affordable housing for local people.
Councillor Cottle-Hunkin added:
“There is no single solution to Devon’s housing challenge, but this decision protects one of the most important ways affordable homes are delivered in rural areas. We will continue working with our partners across Devon and Torbay to bring forward more affordable housing and give local people a better chance of securing a home in the communities they love.”