The UK’s largest provider of new affordable homes has pledged to build more than 3,000 homes in rural communities over the next three years as part of its commitment to supporting thriving rural economies.

Bromford Flagship LiveWest (BFL) has unveiled its ambitious plans as the housing sector marks Rural Housing Week, a national campaign run by the National Housing Federation (6-10 July) highlighting the crucial role housing associations play in sustaining rural communities.

Over the last financial year alone, BFL invested £210 million in rural housing and delivered 1,106 homes across the South West, Central and East of England, helping local people access affordable, high-quality homes in the communities they call home.

"Providing affordable housing in rural areas is one of the cornerstones of our development programme at BFL because we know the difference a good home can make to people's lives.

"An affordable, high-quality home is essential for people to live well and thrive. Alongside our plans to deliver more than 3,000 homes in rural communities over the next three years, we are ensuring those homes are energy efficient, affordable to heat and built to meet the needs of future generations."

Martyn Blackman, Chief Investment Officer at BFL, added: "At Bromford Flagship LiveWest, we are committed to delivering high-quality, affordable homes in villages and market towns across our operating area, enabling local people to remain close to their jobs, families and support networks.

"By investing in rural housing, we are doing far more than providing much-needed homes. We are helping to safeguard the long-term future of local services, businesses and communities. From supporting local schools and shops to sustaining local economies, these developments create lasting benefits for rural areas.

“Working closely with local authorities, Homes England and our delivery partners, we are continuing to unlock new opportunities to build in rural areas, overcoming challenges to deliver homes where they are needed most.

"Our ambition is to go further - expanding the supply of affordable homes, supporting thriving communities and ensuring future generations can continue to live and work in rural areas."

Among the new residents is Victoria Chinnock, who moved into one of the affordable rented homes after experiencing homelessness.

She said: "I was homeless for a year, so this is a real fresh start for me. The house and the area are so beautiful – I absolutely love it.

"I've lived in villages before, but this one has such a strong sense of community. There are lovely walks all around us, we're surrounded by countryside and it's so peaceful."

In Feltwell, Norfolk, 19 families moved into new homes at Gower's Place last autumn. The development includes 13 affordable rented homes for people on the local housing register and six shared ownership properties, helping more people onto the housing ladder.

One of the new residents, Claire Ruskin, moved into a three-bedroom home with her two sons after spending more than six years living in a two-bedroom bungalow.

She said: "The night before moving in felt like Christmas Eve. There's so much to enjoy, and having the extra space has made such a difference for our family."

In the Cotswold village of South Cerney, the first families have moved into new homes at Berkeley Close, where 56 ageing properties are being replaced with 84 modern, energy efficient homes as part of a £26 million regeneration project. 

Every home has solar panels, battery storage, an air source heat pump and an electric vehicle charger, giving each an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate and helping to keep customers' bills down. 

The first completed homes have been handed over to 'returners', people who lived at Berkeley Close before the original 1960s properties were demolished, with the first phase on track to complete in September.

Amanda Swann, Regional Director for New Homes at Bromford Flagship LiveWest, said: “The families moving back in today left their old homes trusting that what we’d build for them would be worth the wait, and I think when they walk through the door, they’ll see that it was.

“These are among the most sustainable homes we’ve ever built, and I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved here.”

In the village of Marshfield, South Gloucestershire, BFL has invested in eight homes as part of its commitment to supporting small rural communities. This includes the purchase of two social rent homes from a local developer, the refurbishment of four existing properties, and the redevelopment of two homes that will be replaced with four new homes for social rent.