Nick Harvey, MP for North Devon, today  welcomed the report published by the Affordable Rural Housing Commission, ten months after it was set up to solve the housing crisis in rural areas.

Commenting Mr Harvey said:

“At the last general election, Labour promised to tackle the crisis in rural housing. With the publication of this report, the government are given a perfect opportunity to show its real commitment to the issue.

“This report acknowledges the major problems faced by rural communities today and has made a number of excellent proposals.

“Unsurprisingly, the Commission supports the Liberal Democrat policy that local councils should be given enhanced planning powers to restrict the growth of second homes.

“What is now needed is for the Housing Corporation to increase its grants manifold and enable a programme of building social, affordable housing over the next decade.”