On July 23, Matthew Taylor’s review of the rural economy and affordable housing was published. The review, commissioned by prime minister Gordon Brown and conducted by MP Matthew Taylor, stated that a lack of long term housing was hindering the progress of rural communities and that the planning system needed to be changed in order to deliver vibrant communities that are sympathetic to their surroundings.<br><br>The report recommended a new drive to create rural jobs and affordable housing through “enterprise hubs,” as well as neighbourhood extensions to market towns, rural exception sites for local village people – affordable housing that is permitted in areas with less than 3,000 people – and a pilot restriction of second homes in national parks. The government welcomed the review, but commented that a second home restriction may be unworkable or not have the intended consequences. Andrew Whitaker, head of planning for HBF, shared the view: “It’s a lot of bureaucracy for no reason. You would need to define what a second home is, there’s the issue of whether you could.