2. DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The meeting had been requested by West Mercia Housing Association who had further information to report to Councillors on items raised by them, following approval of the planning application for affordable houses on the land at the rear of The Hemmingway, Chaddesley Corbett.

    2.1 Highways:     Highways had expressed some concern about safety issues at the access from the end of the Hemmingway, and dialogue was continuing. Proposals were being discussed for the area to be designated a ‘Home Zone’ and a variety of measures would be incorporated into the scheme to reduce the speed of traffic accessing the site. The concept would involve a length of single carriageway, planting to soften the impact and additional parking. Although negotiations had not yet been concluded a sketch drawing was tabled which showed a gradual curve into the bend, a stretch of no more than 30 metres of single track, a pedestrian footpath continuing along the existing footpath and the rest of the road double track with a width of 4.8 metres, as requested by the Parish Council. A variety of materials would be used including tarmac and block paving. Speed restrictions would apply and the Parish Council asked if signs could be kept to a minimum and alternative measures introduced to avoid street lighting. Lights on bollards was suggested by West Mercia for consideration.

    2.2 Screening:     It was confirmed that hedges would completely surround the development and the Housing Association would be responsible for maintenance of these. Where fencing was proposed, this should be screen with hedging, particularly at the back of the bungalows.

    2.3 Construction Traffic:     This would be limited to certain hours to avoid disruption.

    2.4 Mix of Rented and Part-Purchase Properties:    Presently it was proposed that all the bungalows would be for rent, but the mix of houses for rent or sale could be determined at a later date, but prior to application for funding. The Parish Council felt that all the houses on the right hand side of the entrance should be for part purchase and those opposite the bungalows for rent.

    2.5 Parish Representation on Tenant/Purchaser Selection:    The Parish Council felt very strongly about this and they received an assurance from Mr High that a representative would be involved in setting out the policy for selection, and this policy would be widely published so that everyone knew how the selection process would work. As part of this process the Parish representative would contribute to formulating the “tests” for proving local connection, housing need and financial eligibility for the scheme, to ensure that the properties are let to those who have a local connection and who need them. It was agreed that it would be unwise for a Parish representative to be so involved in the actual lettings of the properties that their position in the village could be compromised. Paul High agreed to send a selection policy that has been agreed in a nearby district for such rural schemes, so that Parish Councillors could see the kinds of restrictions that can be placed on lettings.

    2.6 Valuation:    Cllr Mr Higgins still maintained that the valuation was too high, and the properties were therefore not ‘affordable’. Mr High stressed that because purchasers would only pay for a proportion of the property and rent for the rest, this gave them the opportunity to purchase a property in this area which would otherwise be impossible. It was important for the valuation to be current market value, particularly when the properties were subsequently re-valued when the occupier wished to ‘sell back’ to the Housing Association.