Farron Presses Housing Minister to Support "Home on the Farm"

MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron spoke in parliament today during a debate on affordable housing to ask the Housing Minister to formally support his Home on the Farm initiative.

Mr Farron's idea would provide more affordable housing in rural areas by allowing disused farm buildings to be converted into affordable homes for local people and would give local authorities the power to take the initiative in addressing the problem.

During the debate Mr Farron asked the junior minister:

"Would he press the minister (Margaret Beckett) to make sure that the planning system is amended - and funding provided - to ensure that we get more affordable housing in rural areas by formally supporting my Home on the Farm initiative which already has the backing of the NFU and of South Lakeland District Council and which would allow the conversion of thousands of disused farm buildings into affordable homes for local families."