Broadacres has appointed Mark Dutton to leads its rural development programme.

Mark has worked in housing for over 30 years, latterly with South Lakes Housing Association where he was Head of Development.

As a Development Manager at Broadacres, he will be responsible for delivering affordable housing schemes across the Association’s operating region in North Yorkshire.

This will include a 49-home scheme in Sedbergh, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which is scheduled for completion this year, and an 11-home scheme in the village of Shipton by Beningbrough, near York, which is currently awaiting a planning decision.

Mark, who lives in Durham and is married with two children, said: “I am really excited about joining Broadacres and being able to play my part in helping the Association realise its vision of being the best rural housing provider in the country.

“I spent five years at South Lakes Housing Association and enjoyed the rural aspect of its work, and Broadacres is very similar so it’s a great fit for me.

“There is an ongoing challenge delivering schemes in rural areas, especially with Broadacres operating within two National Parks, but we need to continue delivering affordable housing for local people to ensure our rural communities remain sustainable.”

Helen Fielding, Broadacres’ Director of Development and Investment, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the development team at Broadacres.

“He has a long track record in in regeneration and housing delivery and will play an important role as we seek to identify, and ultimately deliver, more sites for affordable housing.”