UNLIKE myself with 11 years on the Cotswold District Council Planning Committee, Cllr Paul Hodgkinson has never had much interest in CDC Planning at grass roots level.
So while his motion asking the government for a policy to encourage lower cost homes for rent and to buy is absolutely spot on in its intention, the implementation would just mean more white elephant developments like the 1,000 + affordable homes as proposed for Chesterton.
The problem is many people who cannot afford housing locally are not eligible for social /affordable housing, yet they appear in the statistics as needing housing so housing they cannot access is provided for them... it is complete madness.
What is needed are cheaper homes for ordinary families who cannot afford £300k properties but who exceed earnings limits for social housing or want to put down roots, such as a couple hoping to start a family renting or buying a three bed property, something not available to them under Social or Affordable rules. I will read the detailed text of Paul’s speech with interest.
DAVID BROAD
Chedworth
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