During Armed Forces Week, I dropped by for a tour of the lovely Rothbury House (pictured), which provides wonderful sheltered housing and independent living for Royal Air Force RAF Association veterans and their spouses.
You can read more HERE.
This week is also 'Rural Housing Week', to highlight the importance of housing associations in rural communities such as ours. Housing is one of the most regular postbag topics I hear about from constituents and I know that families and single people on the waiting list for homes in North Northumberland face a constant challenge. Providing more affordable housing options is key, so the new ‘Unleashing Rural Opportunity’ plan I shared on Wednesday addresses housing too.
The Government will create a network of new “Rural Housing Enablers”, backed with £2.5m of funding, to boost supply by acting as honest brokers between developers and communities.
The Government will consult on making it easier for farmers to change redundant agricultural buildings into family homes. Planning rules could be streamlined, while providing local authorities new powers against second homes and holiday lets.
- 173 new homes were registered in our constituency in 2023 Q1 – versus 43 in constituencies on average.
- 317 homes were registered last year – ahead of the 294 national average.
Meanwhile, the New Homes Quality Code and independent New Homes Ombudsman Service launched last year gives homebuyers greater assurance and holds developers to account too.
