NFU President backs Farron 'Home on the Farm' initiative

3.00.00pm GMT Wed 28th Nov 2007

The President of the National Farmers Union, Peter Kendall has said that he is 'delighted' to support Tim Farron's Home on the Farm initiative, calling it a 'win win situation for farmers and local people. The initiative would see disused farm buildings allowed to be converted into local affordable housing.

Local MP Tim Farron has also presented Matthew Taylor, the man appointed by Gordon Brown to advise the Government on rural housing issues with his Home on the Farm idea Mr Taylor, a Lib Dem MP in Cornwall called last week for changes to planning regulations to ease the housing crisis.

The Home on the Farm initiative would see local authorities taking the lead in addressing the problem of the lack of affordable housing by allowing farmers to convert their outbuildings more easily.

Tim Farron said:

"To have the NFU behind the scheme is a huge boost in our campaign for more affordable housing.

"In addition, I warmly welcome Matthew's report into the problems of housing in rural areas, and I fully support the conclusions he made. This is evidence of the good work Lib Dem MP's can offer to the Government.

"I would like to see my Home on the Farm idea incorporated as well as it would go even further to solve the housing crisis and help to see young people being able to get a foothold in the housing market."