Homes for local letter to Town and community councils

Over the next few months you will be discussing the Local Development Plan which will set out proposals for housing development in every part of Denbighshire.

I am sure you are as disturbed as I am by reports of proposals for mass developments of housing which have almost no relationship to local need.

I am writing to request that in your response to the statutory consultation by Denbighshire County Council you propose the proportion of affordable housing to be developed be 100% and that all housing developments should be targeted to meet clearly identified local need.

If this proposal were to be adopted it would not mean the end of general development however any proposal that was not for 100% affordable housing could only be adopted “on exception”.

I believe this approach would achieve a number of very desirable outcomes. First it would stop our communities losing their sense of identity and ease the pressure to develop on green field sites. Secondly it would ensure that people already living here would actually be able to afford a home of their own. Thirdly it would help prevent irresponsible landlords purposely developing sites that attract people from afar with significant social problems. Finally it would halt proposals to develop “dormitory” sites for people commuting to North West England thus easing pressure on transport systems and the environment.

I would be happy to meet with you to discuss these proposals and would be interested to hear your response.