Support

Representation ID: 19504

Received: 30/01/2009

Respondent: Guestling Parish Council

Aims in Box 19 are admirable. The empty homes action plan seems a good idea. The point made in paragraph 10.7 and mentioned above regarding in-migrants will tend to overwhelm attempts to provide "affordable housing". Either building continues until the area's "natural assets" are so depleted that the attraction to in-migrants is gone or there is some kind of rationing imposed. Neither of these seems attractive options. In-migration and a tendency for youth and talent to be drawn to areas with better opportunity will perpetuate the existing trend. Raising the earning ability of those who remain to be able to compete with in-migrants may be a solution.
The points raised on housing mix to match household composition are important. However, quality and location is as important as number of bed-rooms in this mix. The cost and ease of moving home and the option of staying in the same neighbourhood are important issues that also impact population mobility.