"Grow by building new homes in partnership with rural communities"
The number of affordable homes within our programme has increased by 20 compared with 2019/20 (including one unsold Discounted Local Sale property). This reflects the confidence to advance opportunities and develop partnerships with rural communities, given our clear ambition for growth.
English Rural’s development programme seems to have evolved more positively than the wider sector during the year. New ways of communicating to progress projects were established and any delays were productively managed. The limited reliance on developer-led opportunities and greater degree of control over sites were the main reasons for this.
The positive relationship with Homes England and ability to secure grant through continuous market engagement serves English Rural well. We were pleased to see some greater flexibilities introduced during the year in relation to grant, which included funding the first social rented homes in around a decade. This ability to offer homes at lower rent levels is relevant to our purpose and delivers wider value to residents and the public purse.
During the year the development team continued to keep under review the standard of homes provided and this will be considered further as the development strategy is refreshed. English Rural’s good reputation has relied on quality and beautiful homes being provided through community partnerships. A further emphasis on design and environmental standards will advance this further. Importantly, the gains planned for in the financial business plan will be achieved without a reduction to the projected build rates.
English Rural will continue to focus growth in existing areas of its operation, but where opportunities emerge outside of these with a good business case, these will also be considered. The Association will also use partnership working with other like-minded rural housing associations to advance our purpose. This includes acting as development agent for the subsidiary NFVHA, and partnerships with other local housing associations.
The development programme continues to feature a moderate element of sales activity, including a small proportion of market sale homes built through the subsidiary ER Homes Ltd.
Demand for these homes remains strong, driven by the buoyant rural property market in the areas where English Rural is active.
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Year-on-year increase in new affordable rural homes built
Successful sales programme generating income that can be applied to purpose
Delivery of homes for other smaller providers and new strategic development partnership agreement with Cirencester Housing
Increased clarity of geographic coverage and focus
Innovation and more efficient ways developed that enable engagement with local communities
One of our discounted local sale properties, the sales of which cross-subsidise the development of our affordable homes
>> Traditional channels of engagement and communication were disrupted during the pandemic. Although in some cases there is no replacement for in-person discussions, much can be achieved and often more efficiently digitally through enhanced online practices. A good example of this is an online community consultation platform, which was launched during the year.
