Water companies provide land to help rural housing crisis

20/12/2006

The UK’s biggest water companies have responded to a call for action from The Prince of Wales for the private sector to help solve the affordable rural housing crisis. A national shortage of affordable homes in rural communities has prompted water companies to work together on a pilot project to identify affordable land, to be sold or leased long term, in rural communities for the development of affordable homes.

The Prince of Wales’ Affordable Rural Housing Initiative, managed by Business in the Community, aims to encourage the private sector to help deliver affordable rural housing. As part of the Initiative the companies will pool expertise, experience and resources in a bid to transform appropriate redundant rural land into affordable housing.

Currently it is estimated that 11,000 affordable rural homes are needed each year.  The lack of affordable land is one of the major barriers to delivery.  Although still at an early stage, if each company finds just one site that is suitable for affordable homes, it will have an enormous impact on those 10 communities that so desperately need them.  Sites will only be proposed in communities with identified need for affordable homes and in consultation with local people.

Water companies manage two of the key building blocks for sustainable development – land and water – and have customers, employees and sites in rural communities. Their partnership, launched today, will enable them to help meet a national need by putting something back into the communities they serve.

HRH The Prince of Wales has welcomed the water industry initiative.  “I am absolutely delighted with the response of the water companies to my Affordable Rural Housing Initiative.   They have recognized that the lack of affordable housing is having a devastating impact on our rural communities and innovative ideas such as this are essential if rural life, as we know it, is to survive.  The water companies are perfectly placed to help provide new homes where they are needed and I do congratulate them”.

This 12 month pilot involves 10 water companies reviewing land in certain parts of their operating areas for redundant sites within or adjacent to rural communities. They will be working with parish councils, local authorities and housing associations to evaluate the suitability of those sites for affordable homes. 

"With a number of water companies joining forces to share expertise and experience, the complex process of gaining community acceptance and planning permission for affordable rural homes should be made easier," said Pamela Taylor, Chief Executive of Water UK, the water industry association.

 “Business in the Community applauds the water sector for working collaboratively to tackle this pressing rural issue. By joining forces business can make an enormous contribution to society.”  said Emily Trevorrow, Affordable Rural Housing Director at Business in the Community 
                                                     
Notes to editors
10 Water Companies have signed Memorandum of Understanding for the pilot, a copy of the MOU is available on request.  The companies signed up are:

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
Cambridge Water
Northumbrian Water
Severn Trent Water
South Staffordshire Water
South West Water
Thames Water
United Utilities
Yorkshire Water
Wessex Water

HRH The Prince of Wales’s Affordable Rural Housing Initiative, launched in 2003 and managed by Business in the Community, is supported by His Royal Highness, His Grace the Duke of Westminster, the Countryside Agency and the Housing Corporation. 

Case studies, where water companies have previously provided parcels of land for affordable housing in rural areas, are available from Emily Trevorrow.

For more information:
For information or interviews contact Emily Trevorrow, Business in the Community, Tel: 020 7566 8776  Mob: 07793 443 972
 
For information regarding The Prince of Wales contact: Hannah Howard, Clarence House Press Office, Tel: 020 7024 5729