It has been a lively and rewarding few months for Northants ACRE’s Rural Housing Enabler service, with plenty happening across our rural communities. One of the standout moments this period was our second Rural Housing Roadshow, which once again brought together Parish Councils, housing associations, developers, planners and Local Authority teams. More than 30 people attended each event, and we were thrilled to hear how valuable everyone found the chance to meet, share ideas and make new contacts.
Even better, many of those conversations are already turning into follow-up meetings and practical next steps for villages exploring their housing options. This is exactly what the Roadshows aim to achieve by helping communities speak directly with the people who can support their plans.
A big part of our work continues to be helping villages understand their local housing need. This includes meeting with Parish Councils, attending village meetings and talking through whether a Housing Needs Survey could benefit their community. Several villages are currently taking this forward, and others have approached us to discuss what the next stages of a project might look like once they have gathered the evidence they need. It is encouraging to see so many communities actively shaping their future.
We are also pleased to now have a dedicated Homes England representative supporting our area and joining our Steering Group. Homes England has recently updated its guidance on the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, providing renewed momentum behind delivering more affordable homes. This is welcome news for rural communities that want to ensure families, key workers and long-standing residents can remain close to the places they call home.
Another highlight this period has been visiting several new rural affordable housing schemes around the region. The quality of the homes being delivered is genuinely impressive. Many offer spacious and modern designs with eco-friendly features such as air-source heat pumps and EV charging points. Some developments are also taking steps to protect local wildlife, including bat habitat management, which is a positive example of how rural housing can support both people and the environment.
Overall, this update reflects what can be achieved when villages, partners and local organisations work together with a shared goal of helping rural communities thrive.