Taylor Vinters - Solicitors

Too few affordable homes are being built in some rural areas, according to a new report, with demand often exceeding supply.

Figures published by the National Housing Federation (NHF) suggest that rural housing waiting lists have reached a new record level of 750,000 people, as some housing authorities fail to look at how new projects could be created.

A study by the housing association body finds that the East Riding of Yorkshire region currently has a waiting list of 9,975 householders.

However, with relatively few affordable homes built over the past three years, this list could take some time to clear.

David Orr, chief executive of the NHF, commented that in some countryside regions it may take as long as 280 years to reach the end of waiting lists.

He said: "To save the countryside, we believe that all rural housing authorities must carry out a comprehensive assessment of affordable housing need every three years and follow this up with a plan to deliver new homes."

The NHF recently launched a campaign to save village life in England by developing more affordable housing.

However, Taylor Vinters commented: "The picture is not all bad; Taylor Vinters is aware of encouraging recent developments.

"Some innovative borough councils in rural areas - faced with the challenge of creating more affordable housing but a lack of interested developers - are pursuing the establishment of their own regeneration vehicles to build out new homes of this type without help from private sector development companies."