|
Clifton Parish Council A total of 119 surveys were returned, 14 of which stated some sort of housing need. The table at end of this report shows results of those in housing need. In response to the Question: “Would you support a small affordable housing scheme in the village for local people?” the majority of those forms were in favour – 71 (64%), others responded maybe – 26 (23%), with a significant minority 15 (13%) not in favour. Comments made in support of an Affordable Housing Scheme: "We moved to Clifton because it was a thriving small village with excellent local amenities. We consider much more expansion a threat to the local environment, beauty of the area and will alter the village in such a way that it will be becoming more and more like Bromyard and less like the small, close community that first attracted us here." "We had 8 properties built three years ago for Elgar and they had difficulty in filling all of those, therefore I don't see that family homes are needed but possibly bungalows to allow elderly living in 3 bed houses could move to allow families to have the houses." Q28. "I had to move away with my future husband and was only able to return due to new Housing Association houses." "Not everyone moves from the Parish because of lack of housing, many move because work takes them elsewhere, people have to move sometimes when they marry, likewise people come and go. I would say people wish to move to a Parish or possibly stay as it's in a good established community and facility factors." " Whilst very sympathetic with those with local connections who want to live in the village, the thought of yet more housing in the village is disturbing; and more houses mean more cars, sometimes two per household. Many years ago the District Council stated that in this area of 'outstanding natural beauty' there would be no more building. Their promise was clearly meaningless, and then response to written reminders of it, when more houses were built, was evasive. Frequent checks on the houses in Winnington Close are needed to ensure that each house is, and continues to be, occupied by people with local connections". "A few one bed apartments could free several council houses that are 2/3 bed and are occupied by only one person. Grass area adjacent to Village Hall would be ideal for this purpose and would be within existing village envelope. Therefore not needing to expand the village outwards onto green belt land." "Unconvinced that the recent 'Affordable' housing development went to 'local' people or those working in local 'rural' occupations or a 'needed' profession such as teaching/nursing and there is already relatively cheap housing in the village." "We are content with the house, but we are now finding the garden far too large." "Yes, I would support a small development for affordable housing for local people within the Parish provided the site chosen was not on green fields. Clifton-upon-Teme has a Natural Centre with surrounding houses and a 'Natural boundary'. I would be concerned if housing was allowed to spread further into the greenbelt so threatening the 'compactness' of the housing and therefore the community. My other concern is whether Clifton-upon-Teme has the infrastructure for any more housing e.g. powercuts and poor water pressure are not uncommon problems for many current households. Can the school and nursery take any more children?" "I am a nurse and, compared to the rest of Worcester, do not think Clifton is expensive. The house next to ours is empty as are others in the village. I cannot see any need to build more houses." "Would only support a small local development if it could be guaranteed to be for young local people only. We do not want any development which would involve street lighting. That would ruin our appreceation of the night sky." "I would be grateful if you would let me know how you define 'need' with regards to 'need or wish to live in the local area'. I believe this survey to be of a seriously dubious nature on the grounds that the inclusion of the word 'wish' makes any assessment of absolute need by this survey meaningless. Please reply to (see under contact) - but I doubt you will." "Due to age and present physical problems unable to manage 1/3rd acre garden." "Affordable housing needed for young people to avoid their having to move away to find a home. These should be for sale, so that they can get onto the housing ladder. Housing association rent or part buy is not the answer. Daughter moved away to university, has now returned, is working locally, living at home, but would very much like to set up her own home with her boyfriend who lives with his parents (not locally)." "I will be looking for more affordable accomodation in 2.5 years when I become of retirement age." "This is difficult to choose just 1 box! My requiremnets could be variable and change during next few years of old age. I had/have my name on the waiting list from before the time of building of the Hope Lane Elgar houses hoping for one of the two small bungalows. So far as I know - I am still on list - and certainly wish to be - I will try to find out through one of our councillors - Advice would be appreciated. Re Q15. Expense and difficulty of maintenance - very large difficult garden (and possibly dangerous re accidents/falls as am aged and living alone)." "There may be a need to move within five years to a more affordable bungalow, but not now." Q13. "We think affordable housing is needed to accommodate local people. Youngsters and those on fixed incomes often have to move away. This is turning Clifton-on-Teme into an OAP ghetto, and a dormatory for the more affluent young workers." "Such housing must be strictly for local people only, in perpetuity. The housing must be sold and re-sold at realistically affordable prices for couples and families that have a combined income that may be as low as £15000 per annum. Any land identified must receive a full and complete environmental (inc ecological impact) assessment." HOUSING NEED From the 14 replies received the following need has been estimated: Buy 2 x 2 Bed Bungalows Of those people who expressed a housing need 10 people requested a housing waiting list application form, and have been sent one. One person was already registered on the housing waiting list. In assessing what type of tenure is required I have taken into account the information provided regarding both income and how much each person could afford to pay in both rent and mortgage. For instance, a family with an income of £15,000 per annum, living in rented accommodation, who estimated that they would only be able to afford a mortgage of between £30-50,000 would not be able to buy a property in the village even though they wish to do so. In assessing the type of property and number of bedrooms required, when renting or shared ownership were the preferred options, I have estimated what a Housing Association would consider to be the need. For instance, a couple with no children would not be allocated to a three-bedroom house.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||