Rural Exception Sites

source: Rural Housing Trust

In 1986, the Rural Housing Trust proposed – and went on to pioneer – a method of developing affordable homes which requires the participation and support of the local community. It is called the 'exception site' approach. Rural exception sites are now proven to successfully meet housing needs in the places they arise. It is a successful solution because the size of the development is guided by the identified local need, they are affordable for key workers and others, and they are for people either working or living locally, or who are from the area and would like to return for personal reasons, such as caring for relatives. Exception sites are not allocated for development in local plans/Local Development Frameworks. However, exceptional planning consent may be granted if:

• The District/Borough Council has a local needs planning policy 
• The site is well-related to the village development boundary
• There is a demonstrated current and likely future need for the proposed houses
• The proposed scheme meets the demonstrated needs in terms of size, price and tenure
• The proposed scheme conforms to all other planning policies, in terms of design, access, layout and materials
• There are adequate safeguards to ensure that the houses remain available for local people in perpetuity and cannot become part of the open market
• There is general local support, usually demonstrated through the Parish or Town Council, for the use of the site for this purpose.

This approach to building affordable housing in villages is now mainstream policy. It is supported by national government. It is also accepted at parish/town level because the aims are clear, local participation is positively promoted, and long term control of occupancy is guaranteed.

The Beacon Project is currently in discussions with both Charlbury Town Council leaders as well as West Oxfordshire District Council, to look closely at affordable housing needs in Charlbury and the sort of planning framework that would be most appropriate. It may be that the proposal of a rural exception site will be the best option, with an established national track record in bringing sustainable development. Given that the provisions for Community Right to Build as envisaged in the coalition Government's Localism Bill are yet to be fully understood or implemented, this may prove the best option locally in the short term.

in 2009 the Rural Housing Trust published an interesting fact sheet, called 10 Steps to achieving affordable housing on rural exception sites. Read.