General Discussion
Yet more flats to be built in an already congested area. Let's hope they are forced to provide parking spaces for every dwelling created.
Can't see any flats listed on the plan.
Any affordable housing wouldn't go to local people anyway due to the Devon Home Choice Scheme.
One parking space for each unit provided.
It doesn't look like a bad development for my old school.
Genuinely want to know the answer to this question.
Why would the Devon Home choice Scheme stop affordable housing going to local people?
For those interested this link should take you to the planning documents
click on View Application (bottom left hand of page) to access correspondence concerning this redevelopment.
Good question on Affordable Housing, Lynne. While the highest Devon Home Choice Housing Needs Bands A, B and C (Emergency, High and Medium) will generally apply to those already living and/or working in Devon, Band D (Low) will apply if you have no connection to Devon. Given that Devon's local authorities are having difficulty enough in housing the higher band needs, it would be unlikely that someone in the lowest need band without a local (County) connection would be housed here in Dawlish
There are other AH conditions that can apply in National Park LPA Local Plans and/or where a case for local housing need for those within a tighter area (e.g town or parish) is made via an area Neighbourhood Plan.
FYI, this from Lynton & Lynmouth's Neighbourhood Plan, 'The Lyn Plan':
Local Connection 5.2.16
All affordable housing allowed by the Plan will be subject to a local connection meaning that people with a local connection to the area are first in line to live in it. To date the Exmoor National Park Local Plan has defined this as someone who:
- has a minimum period of 10 years permanent and continuous residence in the parish or an adjoining parish
- is not now resident in the parish or an adjoining parish but with a local connection with the parish including a period of permanent and continuous residence of 10 years or more within the last 20
- has an essential need to live close to another person who has a minimum of 10 years permanent and continuous residence in the parish or an adjoining parish, the essential need arising from proven age or medical reasons
- needs to live close to their place of work in the parish or an adjoining parish.
BTW, The DCF are relocating to a new building in Swift Road, at the the entrance to the 'Warren Grove' Redrow estate.
Agree with Gary's analysis of Home Choice.
I doubt many Dawlishians would agree that people from say Barnstaple, Ilfracombe etc should be considered 'local' for housing priority...but they are.
This does not just apply to Devonians though. It is recognised that Housing Officers can re-grade 'problem cases' to give them a better chance of housing outside of their jurisdiction thus passing the problem on to someone else. Why would someone living on benefits in an inner-city not want to move to the seaside and be on the same benefits? Home Choice schemes allow that to happen.
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/devon-is-one-of-least-affordable-places-in-the-world-to-buy-a-house/story-30087431-detail/story.html
I thought what Gary had posted implied that having a local connection to the parish (in this case Dawlish) or adjoining ones (eg Starcross) was more or less a necessity.
And yes of course people from outside the area (both within Devon and elsewhere) may move into the area. They may have a local family connection, or they may be part of a witness protection scheme, or they may need to be relocated due to, say, being on the wrong end of domestic violence.
Then there are the people who move into the area via the mutual exchange scheme.
Such an arrangement is in place elsewhere in parts of Devon, Lynne, as noted in the case of Exmoor NP above, however this is what it says in the DHC User Guide regarding the highest band of housing need, which would in certain circumstances override the necessity for a Devon connection:
Band A – Emergency Housing Need:
Your application will only be placed in this band if your need for housing is assessed as so exceptional that you must take priority over all other applicants. For example: • you have an urgent health or wellbeing need • your home is in a state of emergency disrepair • you need to move to escape violence or the threat of violence, harassment or a traumatic event. Substantial evidence must exist to award this priority.
The point being that any Affordable Housing provision brought about through new residential development here in Devon is not being routinely used to house people on the waiting list of local authorities elsewhere in the country.
Hmmm.....
Suggest you read Sect 3.9 of the Devon Home Choice Policy Document.
You will then be able to decide for yourself how easy it is for people with no local ties to get Home Choice properties in Teignbridge with a little help from their own area Housing Officer.
Additionally Sect 1.5.9 states that "Each of the organisations involved in the Devon Home Choice Partnership has an Equal Opportunities Policy to ensure that: - Everyone has equal access to services - No one is discriminated against on the grounds of ethnic origin, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or for any other reason ".
Few would disagree with the ethos of this EO Policy HM2, however the various DHC band qualifications are quite clear: Unless there is an emergency housing need (as detailed above) - without a Devon connection an applicant would be placed in Band D, Low Housing Need.
But as you point out, while this scheme does not provide Affordable Housing, it does not look like a bad development (especially considering parking is provided) and will help provide additional homes in a very sustainable location, while retaining the character of the original buildings.
This is what it says at section 3.9 of the Devon Home Choice policy document
be let to someone with a local connection to a specific local area.