HIGH house prices are forcing youngsters to move out of the countryside, campaigners have warned.

Low wages and a chronic shortage of affordable housing means youngsters often have to move away from the village they have grown up in, claims a coalition of rural and housing groups.

Average house prices in rural England have more than doubled over the last decade, and now stand at £256,698.

But the average rural salary is just £21,000 – meaning most people have little hope of affording a home in their own village.

The scale of the problem facing traditional rural communities is being highlighted by the National Housing Federation, the NFU and the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC).

The three organisations claim that the lack of affordable housing poses a threat to traditional rural life.

Rural residents have deep-seated concerns over house prices, service closures and second homes, said the federation.

Federation chief executive David Orr said: “Unless we build more affordable homes for the local families who sustain and enrich village life, then we must accept that traditional community life will be wiped out.”

Some 65% of rural people believe local families and young people are being priced out of villages and market towns by high house prices, according to a federation poll.

More than one third of rural dwellers (37%) said key services like village shops, post offices and pubs have declined over the last five years.

Questioned on the thorny issue of holiday homes, almost one third (31%) said second home owners had a negative impact on community life – with just 7% saying it made a positive contribution.

One in five (19%) said they had seen the number of second homes in their area increase over the last five years, with just 6% saying it had fallen. Some 58% said the number had stayed the same.

The ICM survey also revealed that 63% of rural dwellers thought there was a shortage of affordable homes in their village.

Some 70% of respondents said they would support a small number of affordable homes built for local people.

NFU rural surveyor Louise Staples said keeping young people in rural areas would be essential to maintain a productive and competitive farming industry.

“It is imperative that the next generation is given the opportunity to work on farms and develop their skills as they build their careers in food and farming.

She added: “Affordable rural housing is a must.”

The number of people on waiting lists for an affordable home in rural England – where house prices are £40,000 higher than urban areas – has rocketed to 750,000.

The federation, which represents England’s housing associations, estimates around 100,000 rural affordable homes must be built in England alone over the next 10 years.

With average rural house prices now over £250,000, young people couldn’t afford to live in villages, said Katherine Sealy, who chairs the NFYFC agriculture and rural affairs committee.

“Without young, dynamic and enthusiastic staff and customers, local shops and services will be forced to close and we must not just sit and watch as communities suffer as a result.”