National Housing Federation and Campaign to Protect Rural England team up to increase pressure for affordable rural homes.

The National Housing Federation and the Campaign to Protect Rural England have teamed up to produce a joint Charter named 鈥淧rotect Rural England: Build an Affordable Home鈥�.

The charter is a reaction to the intense pressure for affordable rural homes to be provided in south-west England, due to increased affluence in urban areas and a desire for a second home in the country. This has forced the average rural house price to 拢172,500 when the average rural income is just 拢17,400.

In May the Commission for Rural Communities explained that 6000 new affordable homes were needed each year in the south-west, with the government鈥檚 Affordable Rural Housing Commission stating 11,000 low-cost rural homes were needed nationwide each year.

In 2004, only 3391 cheap homes were produced, as opposed to 14,672 homes constructed by private builders.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: 鈥淭here鈥檚 an urgent need to increase the provision of affordable housing in villages and rural towns. Many people who play an important role in rural communities cannot afford to live in them. Sustainable rural communities require a range of housing to meet a range of needs in order to thrive, prosper and adapt to change.鈥�