HRH The Princess Royal Officially Opens Affordable Rural Homes in Staple, Kent

STAPLE, KENT – 18th July 2023 – English Rural, a leading provider of affordable rural housing, is delighted to announce the official opening of Bartlett Close, a development in Staple, Kent, by HRH The Princess Royal. The development, which was completed in January 2022, comprises six affordable homes, including two one-bedroom bungalows and four two-bedroom houses.

Situated 16 miles north of Dover and nine miles east of Canterbury, the parish of Staple has an active community, and benefits from a village hall, local pub, and parish church. The development of these affordable homes was made possible through the support of Staple Parish Council and Dover District Council, following a housing needs survey carried out in 2015 by the Kent Rural Housing Enabler. The development was also funded by grant made available by Homes England, the government agency supporting affordable housing delivery.

The Chair of Staple Parish Council, Cllr Trevor Bartlett, expressed his delight at the project’s completion, stating,

“In my capacity as chairman of Staple Parish Council, I am delighted that HRH The Princess Royal, in her role as Patron of the English Rural Housing Association is here today to officially open Bartlett Close.

Affordable housing in rural areas such as Staple is highly sought after, and it is fantastic this worthwhile project is now providing new homes to our residents.”

In a strategic move to ensure the continued affordability of these homes, the development also includes two three-bedroom chalet houses for open market sale. The proceeds generated from these sales were invested in financing the affordable homes, making sure high build costs could be met with homes being made available at rents affordable to low-income local households. This cross-subsidised approach demonstrating a sustainable model that can be used to unlock future developments where high-cost and small scale present similar financial barriers.

Alison Thompson, Deputy Development Director at English Rural, commented:

“The approval of our application promotes the value that small-scale affordable housing developments can bring to villages like Staple. These developments provide a secure and safe place for local people to live, in the communities they serve and support. The affordable homes at Bartlett Close play an important role in safeguarding a vibrant, active, and working village that includes a mixture of age groups and income earners.”

The official opening of the scheme by HRH The Princess Royal was marked by the planting of a commemorative tree and the presentation of a posy of flowers. Following the opening, HRH The Princess Royal joined guests and dignitaries in Staple Village Hall for refreshments, further strengthening the sense of community and celebration.

The success of this development is a testament to the close working relationships between English Rural, Staple Parish Council, the Rural Housing Enabler, Dover District Council, and Homes England. It shows other rural communities facing similar challenges what can be achieved and highlights the transformative impact of affordable housing on the vitality and sustainability of rural communities.