Our Rural Strategy

Updated: 21 May 2013
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35% of our population live in rural areas
Rural Ards
The term 'rural' applies to settlements of less than 4,500 people. 35% of NI population live in rural areas. Rural living has several specific issues. These include:
  • isolation
  • "hidden" need - where individuals with the same needs don't get together to make themselves heard
  • a strong attachment to the area people were brought up in
  • difficulty in providing a good standard of service on a small scale
  • lower "institutional capacity" - for example, smaller schools and hospitals
The main rural housing problems include:
  • affordability
  • the impact of PPS21 - legislation which makes it difficult to get planning permission for new homes in rural areas
  • not enough new social housing
  • higher than average levels of unfit housing
We believe that our rural housing policy should contribute to the following overarching vision:
‘Housing Services working in partnership to sustain vibrant communities and provide economic, social and environmental benefits in rural areas’

Principles

We also feel that a series of key principles should guide the development of rural housing policy as follows:
  • Rural housing policy should contribute towards more general rural development objectives, within a framework of sustainable development
  • A specifically tailored approach to rural issues is needed, rather than just a revised urban approach
  • Partnership with others is critical for success
  • Tailoring to local circumstances is necessary because of the diverse nature of communities across rural Northern Ireland
  • Working with rural communities is essential for effective rural development
  • Affordability and accessibility must be at the core of any potential housing solutions
  • Investment and resources must be directed to wherever they are most needed, and to those who need them most
  • Rural housing policy should be mindful of equal opportunity (Section 75) legislation, with the emphasis on promotion of equality of opportunity in rural areas
  • We should make the most of any opportunity to test new approaches, and to learn from policy and best practice elsewhere
For more information please visit our Rural section