Lack of affordable homes in West Berkshire villages raised in Parliament by MP Olivia Bailey
An MP has criticised the current and previous local administrations for failing to deliver enough affordable homes in West Berkshire’s villages.
This week in Parliament, Olivia Bailey, Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP, highlighted the unaffordability of villages in the district, saying that local people are being priced out of their communities.
She called on the council to step up their ambition to deliver the small developments of affordable housing the rural villages need to remain sustainable, including supporting the development of Rural Exception Sites - like the process currently underway in Beenham.
Ms Bailey said: “I am delighted to have led this debate on affordable rural housing, raising the concerns shared by my constituents in villages across West Berkshire directly with the Housing Minister.
“This Labour government is committed to tackling the housing crisis, and that includes working with local communities, councils, housing associations and developers to deliver the affordable housing that we need in our area.
“I will continue to hold West Berkshire Council’s feet to the fire so we can make real progress and ensure the sustainability of our beautiful villages for generations to come.”
Ms Bailey welcomed the Government’s commitment to rural affordable housing, including the £500 million top up for the Affordable Homes Programme, as well as the work of Rural Housing Enablers such as Connecting Communities in Berkshire, who work with parish councils like Beenham to develop small-scale, community-led affordable housing for local people.
But she highlighted the frustrations expressed by parish councils who are seeing existing social housing properties in West Berkshire villages being sold off by housing association Sovereign.
In response, the Minister congratulated Ms Bailey for securing the debate and welcomed that she was highlighting these issues as an assiduous local campaigner.
He confirmed that the government is committed both to strong protections for National Landscapes like the North Wessex Downs and to building the affordable housing that West Berkshire needs.
