Rural Communities
03 May 2016
Government to address housing concerns
The government is expected to address rural concerns about its Housing and Planning Bill. Government ministers are expected to bring forward a number of amendments when the Bill returns to...
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20 Apr 2016
Warning over rural road safety
RURAL drivers are being urged to take extra care after figures showing most fatalities occur on country roads. Although traffic levels are generally lighter, rural roads accounted for 982 deaths...
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12 Apr 2016
Call to protect affordable rural homes
Peers and rural groups have joined forces to argue for measures that protect the affordability of rural housing. The consortium includes the Rural Services Network, the Rural Housing Alliance, the...
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01 Apr 2016
Clash over call for planning review
LOCAL councils and rural business leaders are divided over calls by MPs for a review of national planning policy. It follows a call by the Communities & Local Government Committee...
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17 Mar 2016
Prince’s fund open for £50,000 grants
Funding is available for rural initiatives that benefit communities – such as projects involving village shops, pubs and the delivery of other important services. Established by Prince Charles in 2010,...
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16 Mar 2016
Britain’s 50 best rural areas to live
The 50 local authority districts with the best quality of rural life have been revealed in a wide-ranging survey. The 2016 Halifax Rural Areas Quality of Life Survey shows that...
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14 Feb 2016
MPs voice concern over Right-to-Buy
AN influential committee of MPs has expressed concerns over the government’s Right-to-Buy plans. Discounts for housing association tenants should be funded by central government rather than by a levy on...
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14 Jan 2016
Right-to-buy ‘could worsen housing crisis’
The lack of affordable rural homes could be exacerbated by government policies, rural business leaders have warned. There is a 76% shortfall in rural affordable housing in some areas, according...
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08 Dec 2015
Residents have say on rural strategy
LOCAL residents in Surrey are being asked to help make rural services more resilient. The Surrey Countryside and Rural Enterprise Forum (SCREF) said it wanted to ensure rural issues and...
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06 Dec 2015
New funding for community organisers
A £500,000 government fund aims to help community organisers mobilise local residents. Some 27 community organisers across England – including rural areas – will benefit from the Community Organisers Mobilisation...
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