The government’s target of providing 2800 new affordable homes in rural England in the 2008/2009 financial year has been missed by almost 14%, with only 2415 units completed - yet the council waiting lists for rural housing has seen an increase of 11% in a year to 475,000.

New research by the government’s Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) published this week revealed that property prices in rural areas have dropped by 7.6% in a year, compared with a 15.6% fall in towns and cities - this may seem good news for those looking to move to the countryside with a healthy deposit. However this news does not detract from the problem that the average rural house prices at £187,600 (approaching eight times the average income) is out of reach for many workers who already live and work within these areas.

Whilst many people dream of green countrywide, fresh air and a better way of life - the rural housing crisis is set to continue for the foreseeable future.