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Discounted Homes To Be Built On Greenfield Land

Discounted Homes To Be Built On Greenfield Land

The Government is to allow discounted houses to be built on greenfield land in rural areas to increase the supply of homes in villages.

George Osborne, writing in the Daily Telegraph, described the lack of homes in rural areas as a "scandal" and said he wanted to make it easier for people to live there.

He said using land that had not been previously developed, including agricultural land, was the only way to help people stay in rural communities.

The new homes would be built under the Government's "starter homes" scheme.

First-time buyers who already live in an area will be able to get up to 20% off the price of one of the new homes.

Around 60,000 people move from urban to rural areas every year, said Mr Osborne, adding to the pressure on rural housing stock.

He said boosting housing supply was crucial to help increase economic diversity in the countryside.

In an article co-authored with Environment Secretary Liz Truss, Mr Osborne wrote: "The flight from city to country is driven by all sorts of factors: a desire for more space for children to grow and play or an 'escape to the country' in retirement, for example.

"But there is another reason more people are able to base themselves in our beautiful regions and enjoy the high quality of life they offer - one that we believe is critical.

"Improvements in information technology mean a broader than ever choice of career for those in rural areas.

"Simply, our rural areas are becoming ever more economically diverse and dynamic.

"Long gone are the days when those in a village had to choose between a job in the pub, the shop or on the farm, or commute into a town or city."

"We'll always want to protect our green belt and beautiful natural environments, but the lack of housing in rural areas is a scandal."

Greenfield land is defined as previously undeveloped land that is either used for agriculture, landscaping, or has been left to evolve naturally.

Until now, new homes could only be built on brownfield land (land that has previously been built on) or land already earmarked for development.

The scheme has the potential to be controversial as many in rural communities are opposed to allowing development on greenfield land.