<p>The government must show some “joined up thinking” in its battle to defeat nimbies and provide 11,000 extra homes the Affordable Rural Housing Commission says the countryside desperately needs.</p> <p>Greg Locke, David Wilson Homes’ southern chief executive, said: “The biggest obstacle is working with local councils and getting planning consent through. “We have all been trying to get some cohesive thinking and a joined up approach from the top down.” </p> <p>A report by the Commission said that building an extra 11,000 homes a year in rural areas was the minimum required to meet demand, amounting to six new houses a year in each rural ward. The Commission has called for more social housing in rural areas, more shared equity housing and greater flexibility on land for development. National Housing Federation chief executive David Orr said: “Ruth Kelly’s department now needs to work with local authorities to make the case for more homes and overcome nimby opposition to new development. We are not talking about concreting over greenfields, often just half a dozen new homes can turn a declining village into a vibrant community with a real future.”</p> <p>Housing minister Yvette Cooper welcomed the report. “In rural areas an ageing …