Give affordable housing a higher priority, say Lib Dems

9.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Oct 2009

MOTION - RURAL HOUSING CAMPAIGN - CDC CABINET MEETING 15TH OCTOBER 2009

Points by Proposer Cllr. Margaret Edney (Lib Dem Cllr. for Stratton & Whiteway ward)

I thank the Leader and Cabinet for the opportunity to speak in support of this Motion.

I also wish to thank Gwen Russell and other officers for their on-going work on affordable housing in the district, and the supporting paper today with its good recommendations, which I trust Cabinet will accept.

The case for more affordable homes in rural areas is well-made by the NHF (National Housing Federation), M.Ps. and others. Recent research published in May suggests that over 100,000 young adults will leave the English countryside over the next 3 years, prompting fears that traditional village life is in decline. Affordable housing is the lifeblood of our communities and lack of it threatens key worker services, pubs, shops, P.Os, and small rural industries.

The current recession is having a further impact. There is a steeper rise in repossessions in rural areas than urban areas*. Repossessions drive more people into the search for social housing. There is however the hope that the downturn may provide an opportunity for housing providers to take advantage of lower costs, and take steps to address the rural housing crisis.

So I'm hoping this Council will, through this Motion, support any provider trying to supply more affordable housing in our rural district. When planning applications are made, there is often local resistance to small-scale developments. There can be a lack of understanding that in the longer term, refusal of such applications acts against the future well-being of a community.

This Motion will, I hope, support ward-members making a case for sustainable village life, and will help parish councils and others be aware of the true needs of their community.

*Commission for Rural Communities' Housing Report, May 2009.

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