Affordable housing in East Devon

The CEO of the District Council has claimed that "The inspector accepted the many benefits that will come to Sidmouth as a result of the proposals put forward by PegasusLife" for developing Knowle:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: BREAKING NEWS >>> PegasusLife appeal allowed > latest reports

Affordable housing is not one of them, however.

On the one hand, the District Council is fighting for such provision at another development in Sidford, Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: Sidford and affordable housing > of 'viablity' and 'overage'

But on the other hand it has been happy to accept that there should be no such provision at Knowle:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: PegasusLife pleading poverty: "specialists in development viability have confirmed that the development cannot afford to meet the council’s policy requirements for affordable housing"

Whereas next door, Exeter City Council has got some affordable housing out of a retirement village:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and yet a similar retirement complex in Exeter contributed £5.65 plus land transfer towards affordable housing

Of course, the District Council could have built social housing at Knowle - one better than affordable housing:
Futures Forum: Save Public Land
Futures Forum: Council-owned land for social housing
Futures Forum: A solution to our housing problems > allow councils to consolidate their assets under an urban wealth fund > to build social housing

But, then, the pressures not to provide social or affordable housing are pretty high:
Futures Forum: Developers 'forcing' local councils to allow more housing... as long as its not affordable housing

And yet, looking at the latest press release from the District Council, you would have thought that such housing was a 'high priority':

Aiming high - council sets sights on delivering even better housing opportunities for all in East Devon

When this content has been created

26 January 2018

New approved Housing Service Plan will help housing authority meet both affordable housing and private sector challenges

East Devon District Council’s Housing Review Board has made a series of decisions to improve housing opportunities for council tenants and anyone seeking good quality, affordable housing in the district. Housing is a high priority for the council, which is working hard to deliver its goal of providing a range of decent homes to meet the needs of everyone.

The Housing Review Board has approved an ambitious Housing Service Plan, which sets out the council’s aspirations for housing over the next year, as well as the likely challenges it will face as a housing authority.

Changes in April to homeless legislation is one of the major challenges that East Devon is preparing for. It will do this by increasing resources in the Housing Options team, as well as by improving the rent deposit/bond scheme to assist households access the private rented sector. For further information about East Devon District Council’s housing policies and strategies, please visit the housing pages on the East Devon website

26 January 2018 - Aiming high - council sets sights on delivering even better housing opportunities for all in East Devon - East Devon
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