Clerk: Mrs. L Rampton
Parish Council Office,
Winscombe Community Centre,
11 Sandford Road, Winscombe,
North Somerset BS25 1JA
Tel: 01934 844257 Fax: 01934 844292
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Affordable Housing Working Group Meeting Notes
Friday 23rd September 2011, 11.20am
Link Room, Winscombe Community Centre
Working Group Members Present: Archie Forbes (AF), Geoff Luckett (GL), Valerie McGann (VMc),
Gavin Rider (GR), Chris Sampson (CS), Mike Williamson (MW).
Others Present: David Summerhill (DS), Knightstone Housing Association (KHA)
Clerk: Lynne Rampton (LR)
Apologies for Absence: Steve Bridges (SB), Bren Johnson (BJ),
Following the resignation of John Parry and for the benefit of our new KHA representative, introductions were made. DS apologised for his late arrival at the meeting.
Affordable housing consultation event 26th July 2011 4.00pm – 8.30pm: 57 members of public attended the recent event with it being noted that all of these visited before 7.30pm. DS reported on positive feedback from parishioners and whilst mainly supportive of affordable housing for the parish, those that commented either during or after the event would prefer that development does not take place in the AONB and careful consideration should be given to the positioning of any potential site. It was confirmed that KHA will not be basing their assessment for parish affordable housing on any previous survey but on the current need as defined by the NSC housing register. Further analysis of the information provided so far by NSC will be required. At this time there are a number of potential sites that may be considered both inside and outside the settlement boundaries. No ‘registration of interest’ forms were collected by KHA as the event was treated purely as a ‘call for further sites’.
The search for potential sites: It was reported that through the consultation event and KHA contacts, discussions are taking place with a number of land owners or their agents. Two potential sites situated within the settlement boundary of Winscombe are being explored. All potential sites mentioned by DS at the meeting are situated outside the AONB and those present at the meeting reiterated the Parish Council preference that any potential development be small scale with a maximum of 12 affordable housing units being delivered in any first phase. At this time, and in order to keep an open mind about potential sites, DS has not visited any site but viewed locations on a map only. AF volunteered to meet with DS in advance of the next meeting to enable preliminary consideration of physical aspects of each site to be assessed. All AHWG members are welcome to accompany AF & DS on this tour of the parish.
Local connection criteria: To ensure full understanding of the rules about local connection restrictions and maintaining affordable housing in perpetuity especially with regard to a development that may take place within the settlement boundary, clarification of these issues will be sought from NSC through KHA.
Future public consultation: In response to a question, DS confirmed that whilst another public consultation event will be required prior to submission of any planning application, KHA would only normally arrange an additional consult event detailing the potential for a number of sites if these were thought to be controversial. Members considered that any potential site is likely to be controversial.
Other matters:
· It was noted that the Parish Council is currently looking for additional allotment land and it would be beneficial to the community if there is a potential for addressing this issue along with the current search for sites.
· DS is to confirm availability for a next meeting of the group in around three weeks. In the interim period site visits will take place and clarification obtained from NSC of the issues raised at this meeting.
Meeting closed at 12.10 pm
