RURAL landowners have welcomed a new affordable homes policy which they say "could help the countryside to thrive".

The CLA, which represents 30,000 landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has greeted government proposals to increase the building of affordable homes in the countryside.

So-called "entry level exception sites" would allow dwellings for first-time buyers and renters to be built on land next to existing settlements.

The CLA says the proposals could help rural villages to flourish and encourage more landowners to make plots available for new houses.

"Tackling the rural housing crisis is one of the defining challenges of our time," said president Tim Breitmeyer.

"The rural economy will struggle to achieve its full potential and our villages will not survive if people cannot afford to live and work in the countryside.

"If implemented correctly by local authorities, entry level exception sites strike a good balance between providing affordable homes and an economic return that motivates landowners to pursue sites, while ensuring sensitive design to meet the needs of the local community."

He added: "Current policy options such as "rural exception sites" are effective but are used inconsistently across local authorities. They also only work by relying on sites from landowners who choose to donate or sell land at reduced value, so delivery is restricted."