An edition of the Tyne Tees Television rural affair programme Landmark presented by Eric Robson. In this edition a report on the rural housing crisis for the low paid in the countryside and concerns with regards the conversion of unused farm buildings into housing. Title: Tyne Tees Title: Landmark The episode begins by speaking with Christine Bell who lives in Hawses, Wensleydale. She is a single parent who can only find accommodation for herself and her son in the winter when rents are...

An edition of the Tyne Tees Television rural affair programme Landmark presented by Eric Robson. In this edition a report on the rural housing crisis for the low paid in the countryside and concerns with regards the conversion of unused farm buildings into housing. Title: Tyne Tees Title: Landmark The episode begins by speaking with Christine Bell who lives in Hawses, Wensleydale. She is a single parent who can only find accommodation for herself and her son in the winter when rents are lower and there are fewer holiday lets. The rest of the year she lives with her parents on a remote farm. She could never afford to buy anything in the area as she only works as a waitress. Of the 92 council houses in the village half have been sold. Interview with David Clark from Action with Communities in Rural England who states there is increased difficulty in finding home with competition pushing out local 1st time buyers and new build not matching demand. Interview with David Clark MP (Labour) Shadow Rural Affairs Minister who say there should be both public and private housing plans put in place by the government, but currently there are only private. In the village of West Burton in Wensleydale a charitable housing association, Sanctuary Housing Association, have built new houses in the village. One local man, Gary Musgrove, and his girlfriend are filmed moving in. He is a local builder but can't afford the houses he builds. The rent is £32 a week, but as it is a charitable association there is no option him to buy the house. David Clark advises that private buildings are only really focusing on the 'Executive' or holiday accommodation which doesn't help local people. At Harbottle in Northumberland Environmental Minister, and local boy, Nicholas Ridley is with media handing keys to a new housing association home to a local couple. This association, as it isn't charitable, are able to sell the house if they wish. Interview with Agnes Wilkinson, widow of a Cheviot shepherd, about her new house which is wonderful. Title: Landmark The second part of the programme opens with an interview with Nicholas Ridley in London. He understands there is a shortage of rural housing, but believes this is because local authorities are not granting enough planning permissions. There is a need for more houses for sale, rent and shared accommodation as much through private landlords which is being given through a new Housing Bill. He believes local people should take a far greater part in solving this problem. At the Blagdon Estate at Seaton Burn an interview with Mike Winter from the Centre for Rural Studies Royal Agricultural College. They have released a survey which says that the conversion of unused farm buildings into residential use offers little benefits for the local community. He does praise the Blagdon Estate conversion as it is to business and workshop use. He thinks many building should return or retain traditional farming use. Title: Hoi Pollio Film & Video Credit: Camera Chris Sutcliffe, Richard Edwards Credit: Sound Paul Gunn Credit: VT Editors Sally Fryer, Peter Telford Credit: Production Assistant Pauline Grant Credit Production Secretary Coreen Harvey Credit: Research William Moult Credit: Executive Producer Chris Potter Credit Director Simon Lawson Credit: Producer Charles Bowden End credit: A Waterfront Production for Tyne Tees Television © MCMLXXXVIII