Archived press release

Date Published: 26/10/06

Councillors have given the green light for 12 new affordable homes to be built in Cheddington. At a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s development control committee today (26 October), members authorised officers to approve the de...

Councillors have given the green light for 12 new affordable homes to be built in Cheddington.

At a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s development control committee today (26 October), members authorised officers to approve the development at Barkham Close subject to the completion of a planning agreement restricting the occupancy of the homes and the contribution of a payment towards off-site recreational facilities.

The proposed homes will be owned and managed by Hastoe Housing Association and will be available for rent and shared ownership. They will be a mixture of semi-detached houses and flats.

Hastoe will purchase the development land from a local charity, with the access land made available by AVDC.

The council recently agreed to give access land off Barkham Close to Hastoe on the condition that the properties to be built will always remain affordable homes for people who live in Cheddington or have a strong family link with the village or a neighbouring village. The council will also have full control over selection of the first tenants and 75 per cent control over subsequent lettings.

High house prices on the open market and the lack of smaller affordable accommodation means that many local people on modest incomes are unable to find a home in the village. The lack of rented property is also a cause for concern.

Cheddington Parish Council carried out a survey in 2004 that established a need for affordable housing in the village. The survey also highlighted the community’s support for a small development provided this was for local people or those with a close connection to the village.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, was pleased that the creation of new affordable homes in Cheddington had been given the green light. “Young people and families on low incomes find it very difficult to find homes they can afford. There is always a need for affordable properties in rural areas and the deal we have struck with Hastoe Housing Association will ease the situation in Cheddington considerably and help keep the local community together,” he said.

“I would like to encourage Cheddington people in housing need to register on our waiting list so that they can be considered for one of these new homes. We will continue to use our powers where we can to ensure more and more affordable housing becomes available in the district,” he added.

Over the next two years, 666 new affordable homes will be built in Aylesbury Vale after
AVDC received £25.5 million in funding from the Housing Corporation. Of these new homes, 577 will be for affordable rent and 89 for shared ownership.

David Askew, South East Regional Development Manager for Hastoe Housing Association, said: “We are pleased to be providing this much needed affordable housing in the village and would like to take this opportunity to thank AVDC and Cheddington Parish Council for their support. We hope to commence building works in the new year and expect the properties to be ready for occupation before Christmas 2007.”

A spokesperson for Cheddington Parish Council said: “We are delighted that this community led scheme can now go ahead, giving local people on lower incomes the opportunity to remain in the village.”