Cambridgeshire ACRE welcomes the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) but expresses disappointment that no concrete decisions have been made regarding rural affordable housing. As the leading advocate for sustainable rural communities in Cambridgeshire, we had hoped for more decisive action to address the pressing challenges facing rural housing.

Question 54 of the NPPF consultation specifically focused on rural affordable housing, and while the government has acknowledged the feedback received, it has postponed key decisions until 2025. This delay leaves rural communities in Cambridgeshire facing continued uncertainty and missed opportunities for much-needed housing delivery.

Missed opportunities to address rural housing needs

The consultation responses highlighted several important measures to increase rural affordable housing, including:

• Additional and better-targeted funding to support the delivery of affordable housing in rural areas, including capital grants and resource funding.
• Greater use of rural exception sites to enable the development of affordable housing.
• Continued support for the national network of Rural Housing Enablers (RHEs) to bring housing projects forward in rural areas.
• Clearer policies on affordable housing contributions, particularly for smaller sites.

Despite widespread support for these measures, the government’s response merely acknowledges the challenges and promises further consideration in future policy development. This lack of immediate action is deeply concerning for rural communities struggling to meet their housing needs. It can often take 3-5 years from the point of working with a council to identify housing needs to the start of work on site. Any delay in policy clarity risks pushing solutions even further into the future.

Our commitment to rural housing

Cambridgeshire ACRE remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for sustainable and affordable housing solutions in rural areas. Through our affordable and community-led housing initiatives and partnerships with housing providers, we will continue to:

• Work with local authorities, parish councils, and communities to unlock rural exception sites and bring forward affordable housing projects.
• Highlight the importance of targeted funding and robust policy frameworks to enable the development of much-needed homes in rural areas.

Looking ahead

“We are disappointed that the revised NPPF has not provided a clear pathway for rural affordable housing,” said Hayley Neal, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire ACRE. “Rural communities cannot wait until later in 2025 for action. The challenges are urgent and the solutions are already clear: targeted funding, greater use of rural exception sites and robust support for affordable and community-led housing initiatives. We urge the government to act now to ensure our rural communities have access to the affordable housing they need.”

Cambridgeshire ACRE remains committed to advocating for rural communities. We will continue to work with our partners to ensure that rural housing remains a priority in national policy discussions and that progress is made without further delay.