Minister's launch Tim's Home on the Farm plan

An innovative scheme invented in South Lakeland has today become national government policy.

The Home on the Farm scheme is the brainchild of South Lakes MP Tim Farron and was first introduced in the South Lakes in 2007.

The scheme aims to convert disused farm buildings into affordable homes for local people in rural areas. When the coalition document was drawn up in May, Tim Farron succeeded in getting Home on the Farm included - and today Local Government Minister, Liberal Democrat MP Andrew Stunell formally announced the new policy.

Tim Farron said "Our rural communities are losing their young people and desperately need more affordable homes. At the same time many local farmers would love to make use of disused or underused farm buildings. Home on the Farm gives us the chance to provide new homes on farm sites that would give farmers a vital income, ensure farm succession and provide much needed homes for local people. "

Andrew Stunell said "We want to make it easier for farmers to offer Homes on the Farm for local people. One small step for councils will offer a significant opportunity for communities to get the new and affordable homes their villages need"

Government ministers are asking local authorities such as South Lakeland District Council, the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to amend planning rules to allow them to approve on-farm developments to provide new affordable homes for local families. Tim Farron estimates that at least five hundred homes of this kind could be created in the South Lakes.