Today, during Rural Housing Week 2026, English Rural is delighted to welcome our Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to Longstock, Hampshire, where she will officially open a new affordable housing development that will help local people remain in the village they call home.
The development, located in the heart of Longstock, provides four affordable rented homes and one shared ownership home, helping to meet locally identified housing need and supporting the long-term sustainability of the village. Delivered on land provided by the Leckford Estate and supported by Homes England and Test Valley Borough Council, the scheme demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnership working and a shared commitment to rural communities.
Designed to reflect the character of its surroundings, the homes combine traditional architectural features with modern construction methods and energy-efficient technologies, providing comfortable, sustainable homes for people with strong local connections. The scheme was developed in close collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure it responds directly to the needs of the community.
During her visit, The Princess Royal will meet residents, partners and stakeholders involved in bringing the development forward, tour the new homes and learn more about the vital role affordable housing plays in helping rural communities thrive. The visit will conclude with the planting of a commemorative tree marking the occasion.
Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, said:
“It is a great privilege to welcome our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, to officially open our new homes in Longstock. This development clearly demonstrates what can be achieved through strong and purposeful partnership working between English Rural, the Parish Council, Test Valley Borough Council and the Leckford Estate. By working together to bring forward land for affordable housing, we have been able to deliver high-quality homes that will enable local people to remain part of the community, supporting its long-term sustainability and future.”
The visit comes during Rural Housing Week, the National Housing Federation’s annual campaign celebrating the role affordable housing plays in sustaining rural communities across England. At a time when access to affordable housing remains one of the biggest challenges facing many villages, developments such as Longstock show how local partnerships can deliver practical solutions that help keep rural communities vibrant, inclusive and economically active for future generations.
English Rural has been working with rural communities since 1991 and has developed more than 1,600 affordable homes across nearly 200 villages, helping local people continue to live and work in the places where they have established roots and connections.
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