MP uses keynote speech to back scheme to improve affordable housing

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Local MP Tim Farron will use a speech at the Cumbria Rural Housing Trust conference at Melmerby Hall this Thursday to back community land trusts which he says can help to help ease the shortage of affordable housing without necessitating a large initial outlay of capital. Tim will propose a radical new plan which would see tax incentives given to persuade people to donate or bequeath land to the trusts.

Although local authorities may not have large quantities of money to spend on affordable housing schemes, they often have land which they can donate to be managed by the local community.

Tim Farron said:

"The shortage of affordable housing in our area is desperate and anything that would ease this shortage would be extremely welcome.

"This sort of arrangement combined with initiatives like my home on the farm scheme could see a real increase in the amount of housing available in our area which is extremely important."