Rural Britain could become the "preserve of the wealthy" unless action is taken, the Countryside Agency predicts today.

The government's adviser on rural issues is warning that the countryside is facing a housing crisis as a result of soaring property prices.

Forum Response: Countryside Agency

Ewen Cameron, chairman of the Countryside Agency, told ePolitix.com: "Our new report contains a wealth of analysis and facts to guide policy makers and decision takers. What gives me most cause for concern, is the cost of housing."We have been highlighting for some time the lack of affordable homes in rural England. The figures confirm that a significantly higher proportion of rural people (57 per cent) would have to commit more than half their income to mortgage costs - nearly double that of urban residents (32 per cent).

"This is a major hurdle for new households and those on less than average wages. Taken alongside the much lower availability of rural social housing, with only 14 per cent public or social rented housing compared to 23 per cent in urban areas, the countryside could become the preserve of the wealthy, threatening the whole nature of rural communities and viability of services."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Once again the importance of country sports and their contribution to the social and economic fabric of the countryside has been overlooked in the State of the Countryside Report.

"Country sports warrant only two short paragraphs in this important document, which is not a measure of their significance in rural areas.

"Rural housing, agriculture, rural crime and services are clearly all important issues and we applaud the Countryside Agency for recognising this and addressing the problems, but with hunting legislation in the offing and thousands of people fearing for their livelihoods this is no time to be ignoring the deep rift in the countryside".

Forum Response: Country Land and Business Association

Sir Edward Greenwell, president of the CLA, told ePolitix.com: "The real challenge facing the rural community is how to maintain a thriving rural economy within an environmentally managed countryside so loved by the public. We believe this can be done, but some development is required.

"The housing crisis in the countryside is a major concern and it is a major factor in the slow decline of rural communities. The CLA considers that some growth in housing in rural areas is necessary and achievable. However, what would not be acceptable is the grafting onto villages or towns of disproportionate housing developments, especially when they are not accompanied by proper transport, education, health and recreation services.

"Communities should be allowed to evolve organically at their own pace. The CLA would argue that there is a demand for a variety of housing, in particular affordable housing, in the countryside and that development should meet an identified community or business need. Housing requirements should be decided and determined at the local level so that growth matches the development of that particular area without posing a threat to the surrounding countryside.

"Like everything else, the countryside needs to be managed, and that management needs people to do it and investment to pay for it. It is essential to convince people, therefore, that sympathetic rural development works alongside rural conservation; that it is actually part of the solution, not the problem. Only a healthy rural economy, and profitable rural business with real investment will deliver the standard of conservation the public want."