independent Cornish news and comment

Caradon: LAST CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON HOUSING NEEDS

Time is running out for people in South East Cornwall to take part in an affordable housing needs survey that will help plan the area’s provision up to 2011.


6,600 local people have received questionnaires, which need to be returned by 1 June to ensure that their responses can be taken into account.

The survey covers everything from the number of affordable homes needed to the type and size of properties required. It will also provide a clear indication of just what is and isn’t affordable on local wages.

Councillor John Turner, Caradon’s Housing portfolio holder, said: “Local views really will make a difference. We want to get our housing strategies and planning policies right. To do that we need up to date information from all kinds of local residents, including owner occupiers, council tenants, housing association tenants and those renting privately. We would urge everyone who has received a questionnaire to complete and return it, whether or not they have a housing need.”

The survey results will help Caradon to make key decisions about its housing priorities over the next five years and help secure the funding to deliver them. They will also be taken into account when the council considers where to put new affordable homes in the future.

The housing needs survey is being carried out for Caradon by David Couttie Associates (DCA), a leading independent consultant specialising in housing issues. All replies will be confidential, and it will not be possible for individual respondents to be identified from the data that DCA will supply to Caradon.

The survey ends on 1 June. Anyone with a general query about the survey can contact DCA on 0800 169 7865.