The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) was proud to be represented by its chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, at the official opening of a groundbreaking rural housing development in Shepherdswell, Kent, on 11 September 2024.
The new development, Carpenter’s Yard, was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, underlining its importance as a significant milestone for rural housing initiatives in the UK.
Carpenter’s Yard, the first rural housing scheme of its kind in Kent, was developed through the county’s Community Land Trust (CLT). The project, a partnership between the English Rural Housing Association, the Shepherdswell with Coldred Community Land Trust, Dover District Council, and the Church Commissioners for England, delivers 13 new homes, 10 of which are affordable. These homes provide much-needed housing solutions for local people, ensuring that rural communities can remain sustainable and accessible for residents.
NALC’s chair, Cllr Keith Stevens, attended the event to support the initiative and highlight NALC’s ongoing commitment to addressing the housing challenges faced by rural communities. He praised the project as a model for local (parish and town) councils and community groups working together to create long-lasting, affordable housing solutions.
He commented: “Projects like Carpenter’s Yard demonstrate how collaboration between parish and town councils, CLTs, and other partners can help secure the future of rural communities. “This is a great example of what can be achieved when we work together to address local needs, and I hope it will inspire more councils across the country to pursue similar initiatives.”
The development’s success underscores NALC’s dedication to supporting local councils in promoting affordable housing, climate resilience, and community well-being, ensuring that rural areas can thrive now and in the future.