South Cambridgeshire District Council is marking Rural Housing Week by celebrating 520 affordable homes built on rural exception sites since 2009.
The homes have helped meet the housing needs of local communities while preserving the character of the district’s villages.
A rural exception site is land just outside a village where special permission is given to build affordable homes for rent or shared ownership for local people.
Affordable homes are key to unlocking opportunity, boosting local economies, and helping rural communities flourish. From July 7–11, National Rural Housing Week is an opportunity to showcase these vital homes across the UK.
Cllr John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: “Rural exception sites are a vital tool in ensuring that our villages remain vibrant and inclusive. These homes allow local people to stay in the communities they love, close to family, work, and support networks. Rural communities like ours are the heart of the countryside, but they face unique challenges – from rising house prices and limited rental options to the loss of young families and essential services. We are committed to working with partners to ensure that everyone has access to a safe, affordable home in the place they call home.”
The most recent rural exception sites unveiled in South Cambridgeshire are:
- 9 homes at West Farm, Eltisley, with Hastoe Housing Association.
- 14 homes at Teal Close, Fen Drayton with Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is also progressing its own rural exception site developments, which are currently in the early planning stages.
As part of Rural Housing Week, the District Council will take part in an event hosted by Cambs ACRE for parish councils. Council officers will showcase the recent Fen Drayton scheme and talk about how the Council can support parishes in delivering rural exception sites that meet local needs. The event takes place on Thursday 10 July.
- To find out more about rural exception sites visit our webpage.