I WAS pleased to read Matthew Taylor MP's review on issues facing rural communities (Living Working Countryside) and that Margaret Beckett, as Minister for Housing and Planning, has responded with proposals that I think will create a strong and diverse rural community.
Planning has always been a rather complex system with a 'one size fits all' model not always working in rural areas. With high cost of homes, low wages and young families being priced out of our rural communities I look forward to the flexibility given to local authorities by the Government.
One must also note the already significant investment made by the Government into rural housing, some £230-million has already been invested over the 2006-08 period, equating to nearly 7, 500 homes. Another 10, 000 are expected as part of the government's £8.4-billion investment into affordable housing.
I look forward to these policies coming to physical fruition so that those facing the problems of affordable housing in our rural communities can continue to live the lives they want, in the areas they want.
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Darren Jones
Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for West Devon and TorridgeI WAS pleased to read Matthew Taylor MP's review on issues facing rural communities (Living Working Countryside) and that Margaret Beckett, as Minister for Housing and Planning, has responded with proposals that I think will create a strong and diverse rural community.
Planning has always been a rather complex system with a 'one size fits all' model not always working in rural areas. With high cost of homes, low wages and young families being priced out of our rural communities I look forward to the flexibility given to local authorities by the Government.
One must also note the already significant investment made by the Government into rural housing, some £230-million has already been invested over the 2006-08 period, equating to nearly 7, 500 homes. Another 10, 000 are expected as part of the government's £8.4-billion investment into affordable housing.
I look forward to these policies coming to physical fruition so that those facing the problems of affordable housing in our rural communities can continue to live the lives they want, in the areas they want.
Darren Jones
Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for West Devon and Torridge