UCL Planning Students Explore Rural Housing First-Hand in Chiddingstone

Yesterday, English Rural was delighted to welcome over 30 undergraduate students from the UCL Bartlett School of Planning to Chiddingstone for an immersive day of learning about rural housing, community engagement, and the realities of delivering affordable homes in the countryside. The visit formed part of their Rural Planning module, led by Professor Nick Gallent.

The day began at Causeway Hall, where students heard from sector experts, councillors, and practitioners. Martin Collett, Chief Executive of English Rural, opened by highlighting the vital role that affordable rural housing plays in sustaining balanced, thriving village communities. They then heard from Aaron Smith (Master Land & Planning) on the planning context for rural schemes, followed by Tessa O’Sullivan, Kent’s Rural and Community Housing Enabler, who explained how Rural Exception Sites support local needs.

Representatives of Chiddingstone Parish Council – Louise Kleinschmidt and Jonathan Roper – provided insight into the parish perspective and the importance of partnership working for securing community support.

Finally English Rural colleagues Nick Hughes and Wendy Farrell talk through the Association’s local work in the area, introducing the two developments the students would later tour: Chiddingstone Chequers (Bough Beech) and Chiddingstone Causeway.

Chiddingstone Chequers (Bough Beech)

The first visit of the afternoon took students to English Rural’s completed scheme at Chiddingstone Chequers. Led by Wendy and Nick, the tour explored both the development process and the practical challenges faced during delivery, from ecological considerations to design and layout choices that help new homes integrate sensitively into the village setting.

Chiddingstone Causeway

Students then travelled to the proposed Rural Exception Site at Chiddingstone Causeway. Here, the group were guided through the early-stage planning process, field constraints, and wider strategic issues such as flood risk, biodiversity net gain, and local partnership working. This provided a valuable contrast to the completed Chequers scheme, giving students a clear sense of the lifecycle of rural housing projects.

Throughout the day, students asked thoughtful and challenging questions, demonstrating their growing awareness of the complexity and importance of planning for rural communities. For English Rural, hosting the visit was an opportunity to engage with future planners and to champion the value of affordable, well-designed homes in sustaining the social and economic fabric of England’s villages.

Thank you to UCL, all guest speakers, Chiddingstone Parish Council, and our colleagues who supported the visit. We look forward to continuing this collaboration and helping shape the next generation of planners who will influence the future of rural communities.