FAQ & Resources
Frequently asked questions
Q
A
Affordable housing is required for those households who are being priced out of the rental/sales market in the village. Spaxton house prices remain well above average with local wages remaining below average. The future of village life is becoming threatened, due to local families and younger household members being unable to compete for increasingly scarce and expensive rented and market housing.
Q
2. How can affordable housing be built on land outside the settlement boundary?
A
Sedgemoor District Council Local Plan allows development outside the settlement boundary under certain criteria.
- There is support from the Parish Council and local community for the scheme
- There is a proven need for affordable housing (Housing Need Assessment)
- The scale of development should be appropriate to the size, accessibility, character and physical identity of the settlement.
Even when the above criteria are met, the planning application will be subject to approval by planners, who will consider additional wider issues
Q
3. Will this development lead to further properties being built in the Parish?
A
Affordable housing built outside the settlement boundary does not set a precedent for further development. If an initial scheme does not fully meet the identified affordable housing need in the parish, a further affordable housing scheme can be considered. However, for this to happen the whole process will have to be repeated, including carrying out a further Housing Need Assessment.
Q
4. How is the land outside the settlement boundary identified for development?
A
Sites are usually identified through a site search, each site is assessed through a logical and transparent comparative assessment in relation to planning policies and constraints. Information taken into consideration include:
- Willingness of the landowner to release sufficient land and at a price that allows the housing to be affordable
- Relationship of the proposed site to the settlement boundary
- Impact on highways and pedestrian safety/access
- Environmental factors e.g. flooding, archaeology, ecology etc.
- Implications of currently planning policy e.g. AONB, conservation area etc.
Q
5. Will the homes be offered to local people from Spaxton?
A
Yes, the S106 legal agreement ensures that all initial and future lettings/sales follow a local connection criteria which ensures any new tenants have to verify their local connection to Spaxton.
A usual local connection is determined as follows:
- Live 5 years or more in Spaxton
- Previously lived 5 years or more in Spaxton
- Work 16 hours or more a week in Spaxton
- Have immediate family* in Spaxton
- Provide or receive care for a family member* in Spaxton
* family means grandparent(s), parent(s), child(ren) or sibling(s)
Q
6. Will the Parish have to make a financial contribution to the scheme?
A
The Parish would not be expected to make a financial contribution to the scheme; although some Parishes choose to donate land or sell it at a reduced rate.
Q
7. How to apply for affordable housing?
A
If you are interested in affordable rented homes you will need to register with Homefinder Somerset homefindersomerset.co.uk
If you are interested in a shared ownership homes you will need to register on Help to Buy South West www.helptobuysw.org.uk
Q
8. How many houses are likely to be built?
A
The last Housing Needs Survey was November 2017. This is now out of date and a new need survey has been conducted to help identify the requirement. It is important to note that SCLT does not have to build the full requirement. The community can indicate the number with which it is comfortable.
Q
9. How much land is needed?
A
Initially we have asked for circa one acre to be made available which should provide up to fourteen homes built at rural spacing. The number to be built, of course, will be defined by consultation with the community.
Q
10. How much control has the village community?
A
Through the SCLT the community has ownership of the land freehold and draws an income from it for the parish, a say in the design of the houses and their layout, control of the affordable rental levels and sets the eligibility criteria amongst other safeguards.
Q
11. Can the houses be purchased by the tenants?
A
No, but the CLT could undertake a future project offering shared ownership.
Q
12. Who builds the houses?
A
The SCLT will seek a Housing Association that is sympathetic to the wishes and aims of the community to develop the houses.
Q
13. Who funds the building of the houses?
A
The Housing Association.
Useful information, links and forms
Map of SCLT catchment area
A copy of the Spaxton Parish Boundary Map can be found HERE
Introductory video from the National Community Land Trust Network explaining the CLT movement
Register to be considered for the affordable rented homes in Spaxton at www.homefindersomerset.co.uk.
Register to be considered for a shared ownership home with Help to Buy South West at www.helptobuysw.org.uk.