Involving local residents in housing design could increase support for rural affordable homes, say campaigners.

Rural housing specialists Hastoe want the government to renew its White Paper commitment to encourage communities to be more involved in housing design.

The call comes as MPs are set to debate the quality and design of new housing when Parliament returns from Summer Recess.

The debate, which will be led by Efra Committee Chair Neil Parish (MP for Tiverton and Honiton), will consider how to encourage better design of new homes.

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Hastoe argues that developers should work with local communities to deliver better high-quality homes for local people.

The group, which owns or manages more than 7,500 homes across the south of rural England, says doing so would increase support for new homes in rural areas.

Hastoe chief executive Sue Chalkley said: "The government’s White Paper published earlier this year explicitly stated the intention for communities to have a more direct say over development in their area.

Years of practice

"We know from years of practice that the most successful developments are those conceived by the community and delivered in partnership with it."

Engagement with local communties could include the number, location and design of new homes.

Ms Chalkley said local residents could help shape how the homes look and are constructed, specifying the use of local materials or reflecting the scale and architectural style of other neighbouring homes.

"This also helps to build popular support for the development and a sense of pride for all involved in the project."

Hastoe says the government should renew its commitment to community engagement by keeping local people at the heart of new rural developments.

It says this should include ensuring continued wide access to the Community Housing Fund – whether the developer is a housing association, local landowner or community land trust.

Housing design

The housing association also argued that as well as community engagement, sustainability must also be an integral aspect of new housing design. 

Ms Chalkley said: "Hastoe specialises in providing affordable rural homes but, for us, the affordability of a home is more than just the rent or mortgage costs.

"Instead affordability should be built into the fabric of a building through highly energy efficient design," she added.

"This commitment to sustainability from the outset can help deliver tangible benefits to residents and to the environment."

"Government should take action to ensure that all new homes are built to these high standards through support for affordable house builders willing to make the necessary investment in innovative approaches to energy efficiency."