Lib Dems commit to deliver sustainable affordable housing in Waverley
April 24, 2007 12:00 AM
The Liberal Democrats standing for election to Waverley Borough Council are
committed to increasing the amount of sustainable affordable housing for
local families.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Waverley Gillian Ferguson said, "Being
sustainable and affordable means that the majority should be distributed
between Waverley's four main urban areas, but this does not mean that
development should be out of character. The Lib Dems will use the planning
system to resist inappropriate development."
"Over the last decade it has become clear that many families, couples and
individuals are unable to meet their housing need in this very expensive
borough. The average house price in Waverley is about £350,000 and even
the cheapest one or two bed flats are beyond the reach of many households
at nine-times average earnings."
Councils have a responsibility to prepare plans and policies to meet
housing requirements for everyone and try to meet the need for shared
ownership and rented homes. Over the last four years Lib Dem Waverley has
been actively working with Town and Parish Councils, landowners and
developers. Together they have been successful in enabling the supply of
around 100 shared ownership or rented homes each year out of an average
total provision of 220 homes per annum in the Borough.
Lib Dem housing spokesperson Ken Reed said, "The current Waverley Local
Plan requires 30% of all homes on larger development sites to be
affordable. Waverley's recent Housing Needs Study indicated that over 650
homes per annum were needed each year to meet the backlog of housing need
for at least the next 5 years. Although the record of the Lib Dems over the
last four years at Waverley is the best of any administration for decades,
it is clear that a step change is required to meet the demand for
affordable homes".
The Liberal Democrats are proposing to increase the percentage of
affordable homes to 40% for all new developments, and lower the site
threshold to five. This means that 40% of homes will need to be affordable
on any site of five or more.
Ken Reed added, "The Council has about 300 lettings per annum but only 100
of these are family sized. There are over 2,200 applicants on the
Council's Housing Need Register and at least the same number of concealed
households living at home with family or sharing with friends."
"The Liberal Democrats intend to turn their attention on more innovative
and imaginative uses of the Council landholdings. Our partners such as
NHS, Schools and County Council have a role to play, not simply selling for
the highest price but meeting the needs for key and essential workers. It
is critical that the Council leads the way in maintaining mixed and
balanced communities."
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