South Anglia Housing proposal for Shalford unwanted, say villagers (From Gazette)

South Anglia Housing proposal for Shalford unwanted, say villagers

8:00am Tuesday 8th September 2009 in

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VILLAGERS say their community does do not need new starter homes to rent to young people because young people don’t want to live there.

South Anglia Housing has applied to build eight homes – a mixture of houses, flats and a bungalow – in Shalford to rent to people who have roots in the village, but can’t afford to buy.

The housing association says surveys it carried out in 2005 and 2007, suggested 19 local households needed affordable housing.

Shalford Parish Council chairman John Phipps, said the questionnaires failed to take into account whether village children actually wanted to continue living there.

“If I was a young person, single, just married, or with a partner, I don’t think I would want to live in a hamlet. If I was a young person, single, just married, or with a partner, I don’t think I would want to live in a hamlet. The only nightlife in Shalford is a pub.

Shalford Parish Council chairman John Phipps

He said: “We don’t think Shalford needs social housing.

“If I was a young person, single, just married, or with a partner, I don’t think I would want to live in a hamlet.

“I would want to live somewhere within easy access of facilities, for example Braintree or the outskirts of Chelmsford.

“The only nightlife in Shalford is a pub.”

The village had little employment and few buses, he added, claiming the design of the proposed homes did not fit in with existing ones. Many villagers have objected to the plans, for farmland off Braintree Road, Church End. Many argue the site is on a dangerous, busy road with no footpath to the nearby school.

South Anglia Housing has said it would build a path around the edge of the field to the school, something everyone living in Braintree Road could use.

A supporting statement from South Anglia Housing said: “We are working closely with Braintree Council and the Rural Community Council for Essex to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area.

“The local community has been consulted throughout the planning process for eight new affordable homes.”

Braintree Council is expected to decide on the application at the end of the month.