Council’s Housing Plans for Next Five Years Need Community Input
Mid Devon District Council has launched a public consultation as it sets out its plan to deliver new and improved housing across the district.
The Housing Strategy 2021-25 aims to offer more housing, with more choice by developing new homes and improving existing homes and communities. There is a particular focus on affordable and social rent properties alongside a strong commitment to having low-carbon, accessible and adaptable homes.
The new, draft strategy builds upon the Council’s previous housing strategy and seeks to continue the momentum of improvement but now we need your input to support the proposals or suggest future changes.
Cllr Bob Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing said:
“Having a good home is important for our health, education, feeling of security and of course our economic well-being. It is the foundation upon which people can build happy and successful lives, allowing communities to thrive. New housing and a greater choice of housing is also a key part of our economic transformation strategy but this cannot be achieved solely by developing new homes, but also by focusing on our existing stock and making better use of it for everyone, including our vulnerable households. We know that achieving our vision will not be easy in these times of constant change and with fewer resources, but it is important that we are ambitious and innovative in realising our vision and continue to improve the excellent housing services we have in Mid Devon.”
Since the launch of the previous strategy in 2015 the Council has made great strides in its housing delivery. Highlights of the progress to date are below.
- Directly provided more than 40 new social rent homes to our stock of council housing
- Opened the new, award nominated Turner Rise scheme of 26 properties in Tiverton
- Currently commissioning a major new scheme for 70 new affordable homes at Post Hill Tiverton which will also be part of our Council Housing stock
- Commissioned innovative net carbon zero modular ‘Zed Pods’ social rent schemes in Cullompton and Tiverton
- The Culm Garden Village expression of interest has led to a long-term plan to deliver up to 5,000 sustainable new homes alongside key facilities, infrastructure and a country park
- Brought more than 500 empty homes back into use
- Assisted more than 290 disabled residents to continue to live in their own homes with Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)
- Met Decent Homes Standard across our entire Council Housing Stock (around
3,000 homes) - Provided hundreds of ‘Lifeline’ community alarms to help households to continue living independently in their own homes
The proposed, new strategy is divided into four chapters which expand upon each of our key housing priorities with all priorities having equal weighting and being interdependent with each other.
We would welcome feedback on the proposed strategy and ask you to comment on the four key strands by 30 September.
Priority One: Housing - increase delivery of quality designed, well-built homes across the housing market to meet identified needs.
Priority Two: Optimise - existing housing - fit for purpose healthy, sustainable, adaptable homes optimised for high energy efficiency and low carbon impact.
Priority Three: Make - making the most of our existing homes across private and public sector in all forms of tenure.
Priority Four: Engage - engaging and working with others including partner organisations to deliver our aims.