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Appendix 1 to Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 18th August, 2008 |
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Bolnhurst & Keysoe Parish Council Meeting 18/8/08
Appendix 1 Summary of Questions and Answers raised during the Open Forum on the topic of Affordable Housing.
Julia Mackie from the Rural Housing Trust began by explaining the Trust were developing the Affordable Housing site in Keysoe at the invitation of the Parish Council. A housing needs survey was carried out in 2006 which identified 32 households that were in housing need.
Site Selection The site has to be outside the area of existing housing, but must abut directly onto it. The site must be able to be developed at a very low cost in order to make it affordable i.e. if there are technical constraints identified by the Planners they will not approve the site for this type of housing. Parish Councillors suggested 8 sites they thought may be suitable, but none of these were considered appropriate for developing low cost housing by the Planners, who suggested the current site as the best alternative. The land owner was approached to sell the land, and this was agreed.
Applicants - The Planning Application will not be approved unless the housing need can be proven. A Register of Interests has been opened where interested applicants must provide full personal details (including their financial circumstances) in order to prove their eligibility. So far 18 households have done this, all of whom currently live in the Parish.
Planning Application The RHT work closely with Planners and the Highways Authority, in order to design a scheme that is acceptable. Any comments from neighbours are welcomed.
Questions answered by Julia Mackie:
Is the housing all terraced?
Yes the design is restricted by the size of the plot, and restrictions placed by the Planners.
Where do they face?
They all face the road. Access being via the existing field access point, with 3 properties going straight into the site.
Will the tree line be maintained?
Yes, and it may well be enhanced.
Where is the car parking?
This is all at the rear. Some houses will be joined by the upstairs third bedroom so there will be parking spaces between properties too (its a terrace with gaps between on the ground floor level) with further parking provision to the rear.
Why did this site get selected when it was not included in the original 8 possible sites?
Finding suitable sites that for technical reasons can be developed at low cost is always difficult. None of the 8 possible sites suggested by the Parish Council were deemed suitable by the Planners, who suggested this site instead.
As 10 homes are being built are there definitely 10 people in need?
There were 32 households who stated they were in need. The RHT usually build to meet a third of that requirement, which is why 10 houses are being proposed. The Register of Interests is currently open, and we already have 18 applicants all of whom currently reside in the Parish.
PCllr Bates went on to explain that the majority of housing in the Parish has at least 3 bedrooms, and most of the Planning Applications submitted are for extensions. It is very important to the future of the Parish to provide some smaller housing at the lower end of the market. The Parish needs to have a good demographic mix of housing in order to ensure its sustainability.
Will the impact on our view be taken into account?
Under Planning legislation the loss of view is not a material consideration. However, we will try and be sympathetic to existing residents. The current proposal has a lowered eaves line with dormer windows to lessen the impact on neighbours.
We live directly opposite the houses what about the impact on our outlook? Plus they seem very near to the road?
The design will try and ensure minimal impact, and the houses will be set as far back as Planners will allow.
Will the increase in traffic be considered?
The Highways Authority will be consulted and involved as the Authority responsible for highways safety matters.
How do we know that local people will occupy the rented houses?
This is managed by a legally binding Section 106 agreement. Local connections will be verified with the Parish Council.
Will someone with local connections take priority over someone outside of the parish, even if the have more housing points?
Yes the first priority is always local connections.
Are the houses all the same size and is there provision for the elderly and disabled?
Some are 2 and some are 3 bedrooms. The RHT commit to meet the stated affordable need, but no need has been registered for elderly or disabled. However all the houses are designed in line with the Homes for Life criteria, so that they to be suitable for elderly, with wheelchair width corridors etc, and can be easily adaptable for disabled use if needed.
Once people are resident, do they have to move out if their financial situation improves?
No we would not ask someone to leave their home.
Are they able to sub let the house?
No this is not permitted and is a condition of their lease if purchasing shared ownership or tenancy agreement if renting.
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