About Rural Exception Sites
A Rural Exception Site is a site that sits outside the boundary (known as a settlement envelope in Section 9.2 of the Adopted Local Plan) between settlements and the surrounding countryside, which may be considered for development if it provides affordable homes for local people. Homes can only be built, subject to planning permission if there is a proven unmet local need for affordable housing.
House prices have outgrown incomes in recent years, especially in rural communities. Many young families have had to move away as they are unable to afford to stay with their community. Social and family networks break down whilst local services such as schools, public transport, shops, and pubs become less viable. Delivering Rural Exception Sites provides a means for people who would ordinarily not be able to afford to live within that settlement to remain within their local community.
Enhancing both the lives of the individuals enabled to remain within the community and the community itself.
A legal planning (Section 106) agreement ensures that the homes will always remain affordable. This includes restricting the percentage that can be purchased under shared ownership properties to an 80% share. The S106 agreements also ensures that the homes will be for people with a strong local connection to the parish.
To have a strong local connection to the village or parish you must meet the following (in order of priority):
- current residence in the parish for a minimum period of 2 years; or previous residence in the parish, for a period of no less than 10 years
- a family connection such as mother, father, brother or sister, son or daughter, being a resident in the parish for a period of no less than 2 years
- employment in the parish as a main place of work for a period of no less than 2 years
- current residence; family connection, or an employment connection, where the time periods conditions referred to at 1 and 2 have not been met. Priority will be given in the order set out above
A Housing Needs Survey is an independently produced document collecting information on the housing requirement needs of local residents. The survey can identify the number and type of affordable homes required by the community after careful analysis. The survey also allows local residents to have their say on the importance of an exception site to their community.
Rural Housing Exception process:
- a housing needs survey is undertaken to find out if there is a need for affordable housing
- a housing association also known as a Registered Provider (RP) and/or we will identify potential sites
- public engagement and consultation with the parish and community will take place
- a planning application will be submitted and assessed against planning policy
- if successful, construction can proceed and the process of identifying an eligible occupant can commence
Through both us and registered providers, Central Bedfordshire has numerous Rural Exception Sites throughout the administrative area in various rural parishes.
For an Affordable Rented or Social Rented property on a Rural Exception Scheme you need to apply to go on the Housing Register.
You can contact the Registered Providers selling Shared Ownership homes on the Rural Exception Scheme Shared ownership homes: buying, improving and selling or Shared Ownership Properties for Central Bedfordshire.
If you are eligible, all affordable homes from a Rural Exception Sites will be allocated in line with our Local Lettings Policy for Rural Exception Sites.