HRH The Princess Royal Opens Pioneering Affordable Rural Housing Scheme in Kent

Carpenter’s Yard in Shepherdswell shows how community action can address the critical under-provision of affordable rural housing.

Our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal with English Rural’s Chief Executive, Martin Collett, and Regional Development Manager, Nick Hughes.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of English Rural Housing Association, will officially open Carpenter’s Yard, a groundbreaking affordable rural housing development in Shepherdswell, Kent, on Wednesday 11th September 2024.

The scheme, delivered through Kent’s first Community Land Trust (CLT), marks a significant milestone in addressing rural housing needs in a county where average house prices are now 10 times average incomes.

Carpenter’s Yard, comprising 13 new homes including 10 affordable properties, is the result of a unique partnership between English Rural, Shepherdswell with Coldred Community Land Trust, Dover District Council and the Church Commissioners for England, who provided the land. The development includes a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom houses, all designed to meet local housing needs.

Three open-market bungalows have also been built to generate income that has been used to help fund the affordable homes and provide options for older residents looking to downsize. Some grant funding has also been provided by the governments affordable housing agency Homes England, with the remaining finance secured and invested by English Rural.The Bishop of Dover, the Right Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, will join Her Royal Highness and other dignitaries at the event. The scheme is an exemplar of the vision set out in the Archbishop’s Commission’s ‘Coming Home’ report, emphasising the importance of truly affordable housing to foster stronger communities.

Maria, a resident of Carpenter’s Yard, reflected on the new development:

“After years of struggling with rising private rents, this home has given us security and peace of mind. The financial stability from our long-term tenancy agreement is an enormous relief. It’s not just about having a roof over our heads; it’s about being able to stay in the community we love and contribute to village life.”

Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, said:

“We are delighted with the new homes in Shepherdswell and proud that our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal will officially open them. This innovative scheme demonstrates the power community action can have in securing homes that provide local people with somewhere warm, safe and affordable to live. By partnering with the Shepherdswell and Coldred CLT, Dover District Council and the Church Commissioners, we’ve created a sustainable solution that will benefit this rural community for generations to come.”

Alan Smith, First Church Estates Commissioner, said:

“Rural communities embody what is excellent and precious about England. Yet they face a critical shortage of safe, secure, and affordable housing, so we are privileged to know Carpenter’s Yard will be opened by HRH The Princess Royal. The development reflects a shared vision of the Church Commissioners and our partners, the community-run Shepherdswell and Coldred CLT, English Rural and Dover County Council, and we hope it serves as a blueprint for similar schemes across the country.”

Chair of Shepherdswell Parish Council, Cllr Mark Watson, added:

“Carpenter’s Yard is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. This development ensures that local people and key workers can continue to live and work in the village they call home. It’s a proud day for Shepherdswell and a model for rural communities across the country.”

By enabling younger generations to remain in the area, Carpenter’s Yard is expected to have a positive impact on local services, including helping to secure the future of the village primary school. The homes have been built using the Rural Exception Site planning policy, which will ensure that they remain affordable, and prioritise helping local households.

Carpenter’s Yard exemplifies an innovative solution to rural housing challenges, where house prices are typically 8.3 times annual earnings. This community focussed initiative not only provides affordable homes but also helps preserve vital local services and the economic diversity of Shepherdswell. As Kent’s first such project, Carpenter’s Yard demonstrates how strong local partnerships can create lasting, positive change in our countryside communities.

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For further information, please contact: David Barrowcliff, Head of Communications, English Rural on david.barrowcliff@englishrural.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. English Rural is a specialist provider of affordable rural housing across England, working in partnership with villages and rural communities to secure affordable homes for local people. Since its foundation in 1991, English Rural has developed over 1,600 affordable homes across 150 villages.
2. The Church Commissioners exists to support the work and mission of the Church of England today and for future generations through the sustainable management of its endowment fund, helping it to remain a Christian presence in every community.
3. Rural housing crisis statistics: According to the National Housing Federation, the average rural house price in England is now £354,000, which is 46% higher than the average urban house price. This, combined with lower-than-average rural wages, creates significant affordability challenges in rural areas.