Affordable homes boost for Craven (From Craven Herald)

Affordable homes boost for Craven

8:45am Friday 7th December 2007 in

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Craven could get a major boost in affordable rented accommodation - with more than 60 new properties planned in the district.

The £7 million scheme has been put together by Craven Housing Association in partnership with Craven District Council.

The proposals - the result of two years' work - would bring about the largest single provision of social housing in Craven for more than 20 years.

"It is a trailblazing scheme and a model of good practice for rural housing," said Craven Housing chief officer David Bolton. "It is a significant step towards addressing the district's acute housing need."

“It is a trailblazing scheme and a model of good practice for rural housing.”

David Bolton, Craven Housing

Craven Housing manages more than 1,480 properties, most of which were transferred from the district council in March 2003.

The new scheme is for around 35 new houses in Goodenber Road, Bentham, about 20 in Station Road, Hellifield, and five in Airedale Avenue, Skipton.

In each case, the land would be given to Craven Housing by the district council, along with commuted sums.

The Government has also promised £3.5 million, with a similar amount pledged by Yorkshire Housing - of which Craven Housing is a part.

Mr Bolton said: "It will be the biggest single development of social rented properties in Craven since local authority house building was abolished. We are also looking at further development schemes and hope to put together proposals by spring."

A housing needs survey in 2005 highlighted a significant shortfall in affordable rented homes in the district and the waiting list exceeds 900 people.

Mr Bolton said: "As a result, every year communities are undermined as people are forced to leave due to the lack of local housing provision and affordability.

"A further knock-on effect is that the local economy suffers and people take up jobs in other areas. In other cases we sadly experience hidden homelessness and overcrowding."

A planning application has been submitted for Airedale Avenue and plans for the other sites are expected to be lodged by the end of next week.

If approved, work is expected to start by March and take about 12 months.

The developments create a mix of homes including accommodation for families, young people and the vulnerable.

"We have worked hard to design a scheme that we feel best meets the housing requirements of the district and are hopeful we will receive a positive outcome," said Mr Bolton.

Coun Paul English, Craven District Council's portfolio holder for addressing housing need, said: "Craven District Council has been strengthening delivery of affordable housing for some years now. However, it's a long development process.

"A decent home at an affordable cost is at the core of family life and is a fundamental need of a successful and sustainable community.

"The partnership with Craven Housing is very much at an early stage and I must stress all three sites have to go through normal planning procedures."