The housing minister, Margaret Beckett has announced measures to encourage local authorities to build new homes.

The measures include making available more greenbelt sites, and other areas of land which have previously been restricted.

Beckett stated action had to be taken to address the “unsustainable pressures” which are affecting communities.

“All too often the high cost of homes and low wages are pricing young families out of their communities, with the average rural home costing up to 10 times the average salary in some rural areas,” she said.

“These subtle but important changes are the key to getting the balance right between protection and development in the countryside.

“This will give local communities the flexibility they need to take the right decisions on the individual issues they face.”

Further Reading
Affordable homes to be built on greenbelt in countryside, The Telegraph