Changing social relations in the English countryside

This chapter looks at the changing character of social relations in the countryside, with a view to understanding the prospects for rural housing development today. Starting with a brief review of the history of these changes, the chapter goes on to consider the issue of rural gentrification and then provides an analysis of the politics of rural housing development. Policies and proposals for rural housing are evaluated and conclusions drawn. Throughout the chapter, the focus is primarily on land because the availability of land is crucial for housing development.