Sustainable Communities: Rural Services

Good access to services is fundamental to a healthy rural economy. We’re exploring innovative approaches with a range of partners including local authorities, the NHS, ambulance services and community transport operators, development trusts and the Housing Corporation

Projects include:

Transport

Together with partners in Northumberland, we’re looking at a radical new approach to help people access a range of services.

The Rural Access and Mobility Project is exploring innovative ways to integrate different forms of public and community transport in the area for the long-term, giving customers better access to healthcare services without extra cost.

If successful, the project could provide a new concept for tackling accessibility issues in rural areas. 

Complementing this work is support for community transport services to enable them to develop as vibrant social enterprises that can improve access to those most in need in rural areas.

Housing

Working with Northumberland Strategic Partnership (NSP), the Development Trusts Association, the Housing Corporation and local authorities, One NorthEast has funded research for:

• A greater understanding of the barriers to affordable housing development and how to overcome them.
• A higher success rate in developing community led affordable housing schemes.
• Improved integration between sub regional affordable housing strategy and policy work and local housing delivery.
• Improved communication and partnership working between local authorities, the voluntary sector and community interests in relation to the development of affordable housing schemes.
• Initiate the first steps in redressing the balance between the supply of and demand for affordable housing.