Local MP welcomes affordable housing report and calls on Government to take action

6.12.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th May 2006

Local MP Tim Farron has welcomed the report of the Affordable Rural Housing Commission, and has called on the Government to take action on the Commission's recommendations. The report is especially pleasing to Tim because it includes two proposals which Tim put forward in his very first week in Westminster.

Tim continues to share the concern that many young families can simply no longer afford to live in the area where they grow up - recent research shows that as many as 45% of young families have to move away to set up home.

Tim is particularly supportive of the Commission's recommendations that rural areas should share in UK housing growth; that all local housing providers should work together with local authorities; that planning permission should need to be sought to turn a property into a second home; and that the right to buy in rural areas should be structured in such a way that affordable housing remains affordable in perpetuity.

Speaking after the launch of the report, Tim said: "I am very pleased to support this report, which contains so many ideas which I have raised in Parliament as recommendations. Back in May last year when I made my maiden speech I was determined to make the point for ideas like requiring new second homes to get planning permission for change of use.

"I will now put pressure on the Government to make the changes that this Commission has raised. I will also work with the newly elected Liberal Democrat administration on South Lakeland District Council who are keen to use best practice and innovative ideas from elsewhere in the country to help alleviate the affordable housing crisis in our area."