Goudhurst and Kilndown Parish Council

GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst and Kilndown
HOUSING COMMITTEE

Minutes of a Meeting held on 21 May 2010 in The Jessel Room at 2.00 pm

Present:             Cllrs Crookall (Chairman), Bates, Mrs Edmonston and Mrs Stafford.
Apologies:            Sarah Lewis TWBC, Dawn Healy Hyde Housing and Tessa O’Sullivan AwCiRK

Declarations of Interest.
There were no Declarations of Interest.

Affordable Housing in the Parish
Goudhurst. It was agreed that the Housing Committee would like to continue to explore the possibility of a development at “Site 6” subject to the approval of the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Chairman of the Housing Committee will ask Sarah Lewis to ask Nick Baldwin to carry out a traffic impact survey.

Members agreed that a further approach should be made to the owner of “Site 42”. A letter drafted by Affordable Housing Officer TWBC was considered. Minor changes will be passed back to TWBC with the suggestion that the letter goes from TWBC and is signed by Affordable Housing Officer and the Senior Planning Officer who has been advising on the project.

Kilndown. It was agreed that this will not be progressed until the proposed Housing Needs Survey is completed later in 2010.

Housing Needs Survey.
Affordable Housing Officer’s e-mail of 20 May 2010 was discussed at some length. The Parish Council’s proposal (attached) for a more informal communication with local residents had been rejected by TWBC. There are misconceptions as to what GPC is trying to achieve. It was agreed that the Chairman of the Housing Committee draft a message (attached) to Affordable Housing Officer which he will circulate to Housing Cttee Members for comment before it is sent to TWBC. Thereafter he would have further discussions with Affordable Housing Officer and report further to Council.

Next Meeting. To be advised.

Report for Council 12 October 2009

Culpepers, Goudhurst and the Southern Housing S106 Agreement

On 24 September Council received an e-mail from Southern Housing seeking approval to allocate a vacant 1 bedroom house at Culpepers to a person resident in a neighbouring parish who had no connection with Goudhurst.

With the assistance of TWBC, it was confirmed that the terms of the S106 Agreement with Southern Housing give allocation priority to any applicant with a Goudhurst connection (as defined in the Agreement) over those applicants from neighbouring parishes.

TWBC reminded Southern Housing of this requirement, and at the time this report was written, an applicant with the required Goudhurst connection is to be interviewed.

Cllr Tom Crookall
02 October 2009

Notes of a Meeting held on Wednesday 02 September 2009 at Goudhurst Parish Hall

Present: Cllrs Tom Crookall (Chairman), Mrs Tracy Chudley, Mrs Tracy Edmonston, Clive Roberts and Mrs Barbara Stafford. Anthony Farnfield as Clerk

Apologies: Cllr Ed Bates, David Nichol and John Ward. Also Dawn Healy (Hyde Housing) and Sarah Lewis (TWBC).

Declarations of Interest.
Cllr Clive Roberts declared a personal and prejudicial interest in discussions on the Old Parsonage site at Goudhurst as a Director of Hill Reed, the owners of the land. He withdrew from the meeting during those discussions.

Kilndown.
It was noted that at the end of the public discussion part of the Parish Council meeting at Kilndown on 10 August, it was agreed that a further poll would be carried out to again measure the amount of support for the proposal to build 5 affordable homes on National Trust land near the Millennium Green. This was to be carried out in co-operation with the opposition group. However, Members of the Housing Committee agreed that ‘poll fatigue’ is evident in the community and that any poll held in the near future is likely to suffer from a poor turn out and thus be unconvincing. TWBC have confirmed that a new Housing Needs Survey will be carried out early in the financial year 2010/11 and members considered that it would be best to defer any further sampling of public opinion until we have updated evidence of the need for affordable houses. It was agreed to recommend to Council that any further poll should be postponed until after the results of the 2010 Housing Needs Survey are known.

It was agreed that the Chairman will advise Gary Churchill of the National Trust, and Mrs Jo Stevens of this decision.

With regard to the 2010 Housing Needs Survey, it was agreed that Council will try to influence TWBC as far as possible to introduce certain extra questions into the standard format.

Goudhurst
Cllr Roberts confirmed that Hill Reed is still in discussion with TWBC planning officers with a view to re-submitting their planning application for a mix of affordable housing units, houses for purchase, and units for downsizing elderly people. As a result, Hill Reed will not be prepared to release part of the Old Parsonage site. Cllr Roberts then left the meeting.

Site 6 was reviewed. An e-mail of 02 September from Dawn Healy was noted; this indicated that the Agent of the landowner had informed her that the landowner is away, so no information has been available as to the price they were hoping for.

The opinion of the Housing Committee was that this site is could be a very attractive one for an imaginative development and that it should be actively pursued even though the anticipated high cost of development is likely to make it a non starter.

It was agreed that no further action should be taken at this stage over land to the south of Goudhurst.

Members reflected that it is unfortunate that families from urban backgrounds are sometimes allocated to rural villages where there is a lack of employment opportunities with poor or non-existent public transport. It was noted however that the housing authority has a statutory duty to house homeless families; a rural housing unit is sometimes the only option available. It was agreed to discuss this subject with Sara Lewis at the next opportunity.

Next Meeting. To be advised.

The meeting closed at 8.10 pm

HOUSING COMMITTEE
Notes of a Meeting held on Wednesday 29 April 2009 at the Jessel Room

Present: Cllrs Mrs Barbara Stafford (Acting Chairman), Ed Bates, Mrs Tracy Chudley, Mrs Tracy Edmonston and David Nichol. Cllr Clive Roberts from 2.25 pm.
Also: Deborah Dixon, Senior Planning Officer TWBC, Sarah Lewis, Affordable Housing Officer TWBC, and Dawn Healy of Hyde Housing.
Anthony Farnfield as Clerk

Apologies: Cllr John Ward. It was noted that the Chairman, Cllr Tom Crookall was on leave.

Goudhurst
Noted that the planning application for the mixed development on the Old Parsonage site (TW/09/00196) has been withdrawn. There are indications that the applicant may reapply

It was noted that Cllr Crookall had had discussions with the owner of a possible site to the north east of Goudhurst village. It was agreed that Deborah Dixon would compare notes with Cllr Crookall on his return from holiday and then progress discussions with KCC re access. It was hoped that a further discussion with the owner could then take place with Planning or Housing Officers.

Ms Dixon provided GPC with maps of areas outside the Limits to Built Development in Goudhurst and Kilndown but stressed that not all areas were suitable for affordable housing. She would continue research of these areas.

Cllr Clive Roberts who had declared a prejudicial interest in affordable housing in Goudhurst then joined the meeting.

Kilndown
It was noted that Cascade Housing has submitted an planning application (TW/08/03892) for 8 local needs houses in Rogers Rough Road. The Parish Council representation in the light of highways reservations and overwhelming objections from local residents was to recommend refusal.

Jenny Lewis explained that an application for 8 units was acceptable to TWBC Housing in the light of the results of the Housing Needs Survey.

Kilndown Parish ward Members reported that there is strong local feeling over the ‘local only’ issues relating to the affordable housing project in Kilndown.

Cllr Mrs Stafford reported that she had had some discussions with Gary Churchill, Senior Rural Surveyor at the National Trust. They are still supportive of the affordable housing project on land to the south west of the Millennium Green providing substantial local support is demonstrated. There was discussion of possible future action.

Noted that Dawn Healy and Sarah Lewis are meeting Gary Churchill on Friday, 08 May at Scotney. It was suggested GPC should be represented. Neither Cllr Mrs Stafford nor the Clerk is available to attend; Cllr Mrs Stafford will ask Cllr Nichol or Cllr Ward to attend to represent GPC.

Housing Forum
Noted that this is to be held on Thursday, 14 May at the Assembly Hall Theatre from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm. Who will represent GPC has yet to be decided.

Next Meeting. Wednesday, 08 July 2009 at 2.00 pm in the Jessel Room

GPC 14 April 2009 Item 6
Notes of a Meeting held on Wednesday 11 March 2009 at the Jessel Room

Present: Hyde Housing Dawn Healy
GPC Cllrs Tom Crookall, Ed Bates, Mrs Tracy Edmonston,
David Nichol and John Ward
Anthony Farnfield as Clerk

Apologies: TWBC Sarah Lewis

Goudhurst
Noted that it seems that the planning application for the mixed development on the Old Parsonage site (TW/09/00196) is unlikely to succeed.

It was agreed that the clear next favourite is the land owned by Mrs Loveday to the east of Scope Mead and to the west of the Primary School. Dawn Healy has written to her but has not had a reply. We understand that previously she had sought £500k for it but the land has not sold. It was agreed that Cllr Crookall will redouble his efforts to speak to her.

It was agreed that Pine Lee and other land in the Tattlebury Lane area is not sufficiently accessible to the Village to be suitable.

It was agreed that Cllr Crookall will re-visit all sites previously considered, and possibly some additional ones.

Noted that Deborah Dixon has taken over from Peter Turner in TWBC Development Control.

Kilndown
It was agreed that the National Trust sites along West Road (off Church Road adjacent to the Millennium Green) are the best.

Cllr Crookall has had some discussions with Cascade (who are proposing a development in Rogers Rough road). Indications are that a Cascade application will not be successful. None has been submitted by them yet.

Meanwhile, opinion in Kilndown appears to be polarised. It was noted that the National Trust seeks a 75% vote in favour of one of their sites before they will be willing to open negotiations.

Housing Needs Surveys
Noted that TWBC will now carry out Housing Needs Surveys every 5 years in the rural parishes.

Next Meeting. Date left open for the time being pending developments

Report for Council 10 November 2008

Hillreed Homes. On 21st October the Housing Committee (Cllrs Mrs Stafford, Ward and Crookall) had a meeting with Mr Alister Hume representing Hillreed Homes. He advised us of the changes that had been made to their proposals for the Old Parsonage site at Goudhurst following the public consultation at Goudhurst on 29 August 2008. In particular they had taken steps to reduce the impact on neighbours in Tiddymotts Lane by reducing the height of adjacent new buildings. These measures were well received by members who suggested that a further round of consultation should be undertaken by Hillreed with those who are most affected. It was suggested that further benefit could be had by repositioning some of the intended garages to give greater drive length in the hope of reducing the parking problem. Alister undertook to consider this and will give GPC further sight of the proposals before an application for Planning Permission is made.

Cascade Rural Housing Solutions. The meeting with Hillreed was immediately followed by a meeting with David Tatterton, a Director of Cascade Homes who have made proposals for a housing development on a site in Rogers Rough Road, Kilndown. Also attending this meeting were Dawn Healy of Hyde Housing and Sarah Lewis TWBC Rural Housing Officer. The point was made to Cascade that the identified need in Kilndown was for five dwellings and not the ten that Cascade were proposing. We pointed out some of the planning problems that the Rogers Rough proposal is likely to encounter and we all agreed that the National Trust land on Church Road remained a preferred option. However any efforts to promote that outcome would be overshadowed by the alternative suggestion, and we agreed to encourage Cascade to seek Planning Permission in the hope that this alternative would be eliminated in the process, leaving the National Trusts site/s as our only viable option. This obviously carries a certain risk but we thought it was essential to seek clarity.

Further Meeting with the National Trust. Housing Committee agreed that it was necessary to bring Mr Gary Churchill, Senior Rural Surveyor of the National Trust up to date. We have arranged a meeting with him on the morning of Monday 10th November, and so we should be able to make a verbal report on this issue at Council on 10 November.

TC
01 Nov 08

Results of the Housing Needs Survey
The housing needs survey was delivered to every household in Goudhurst parish in October/November 2005. The purpose of the survey was to find out if there is a need for a local needs housing scheme in our parish and to give an indication of whether other types of accommodation are also needed.

The Rural Housing Enabler from Action with Communities in Rural Kent carried out the analysis to ensure an independent interpretation of the results. The survey forms were colour coded to allow returns from the villages of Goudhurst and Kilndown to be analysed separately as well as gaining an understanding of the housing needs of the parish as a whole.

Please find below a summary of the main findings of the survey.

Response rate
A 17% response rate was achieved (16.3% from Goudhurst and 17.3 % from Kilndown)

The survey represented a total of 516 people

Type and size of homes in the parish
The survey indicates that 80% of respondents are owner occupiers. (The 2001 census shows higher levels of rented accommodation in the parish with 15% social rent and 16% private rent/other tenure).

The survey indicates that 73% of homes in the parish have 3 or more bedrooms

Length of residency in the parish
66% of respondents have lived in the parish for 11 or more years (65% from Goudhurst and 67% from Kilndown).

34% of respondents have lived in the parish for more than 26 years (36% from Goudhurst and 28% from Kilndown)

Reasons why family members have left the parish
54% of respondents have had family members leave the parish in the last few years, this represented a total of 94 people.

The most frequently given reason for leaving was employment

16 respondents indicated that family members would return if cheaper accommodation could be provided.

Support for a development to meet local needs
Respondents indicated a high level of support with 89% supporting a development to meet local housing needs (88% from Goudhurst and 92% from Kilndown).

Comments about the housing needs of the parish
Comments from respondents’ in both Goudhurst and Kilndown acknowledge that more affordable housing is needed for local people, both younger people and older people. A need for smaller/starter homes is expressed by some respondents.

Some respondents commented that any further housing development should be accompanied by improved amenities and public transport.

Housing need
In total 52 households completed section 2 of the survey form, indicating they have a housing need.

These respondents were assessed to see if they would be eligible for local needs housing - that is they have a connection to the parish, they wish to remain living in the parish and are unable to afford suitable accommodation, in the parish, to either rent or buy on the open market.

30 households meet the above criteria (19 households from Goudhurst and 11 households from Kilndown)

13 x single people (11 from Goudhurst and 2 from Kilndown)
8 x couples (3 from Goudhurst and 5 from Kilndown)
9 x families (5 from Goudhurst and 4 from Kilndown)

The families have 18 children in total

28 of the 30 households are currently living in the parish

Only 7 of the 30 households are currently registered on the Borough Councils housing register

13 households completing section 2 of the survey wish to remain living in Goudhurst and have differing housing needs;
7 households seeking smaller accommodation on the open market
3 households seeking care at home
3 households seeking warden assisted or residential accommodation

Recommendation
A formula of need being 2 to 3 times greater than number of properties that maybe be built is used to calculate how many homes would meet existing and future affordable housing need in the parish.

In Goudhurst up to 15 homes for local people are required to meet existing and future affordable housing needs in the parish.

The survey also highlighted a need for consideration to be given to future open market developments to provide smaller accommodation for those wishing to ‘downsize’ from their current property and stay within the parish.

The provision of assisted accommodation for older members of the community requires a more in-depth study. Several of the comments received referred to the need for sheltered/warden assisted homes.

Local needs housing schemes
Local needs housing schemes are built to provide affordable rented or shared ownership homes for local people. The homes are managed by a housing association and an agreement sets out the criteria that any applicant would have to fulfil in order to be allocated a home. Importantly they must be able to demonstrate a connection to the parish, either through residency, close family or employment.

Finding a site
As land within the village envelope is scarce and carries a high value, planning policy allows, where a proven need is established, for local needs housing schemes to be built outside of the normal limits to built development. These are known as exception sites. There are very strict criteria that must be met to ensure that the homes are sensitively designed, well located in relationship to the village, local services, the surrounding countryside and highways.
The Parish Council will be considering whether there are any suitable sites for a small scheme to meet local needs in the near future.
If anyone would like to put forward land for consideration please contact the Rural Housing Enabler with details

Jennifer Shaw
Rural Housing Enabler
Action with Communities in Rural Kent
15 Manor Road
Folkestone Telephone: 01303 850816
Kent CT20 2AH Email: jennifer.shaw@ruralkent .org.uk
Report of a meeting of the Housing Committee
Held at 1500 on Monday 5th Sept 2005 at Goudhurst Village Hall

Present: Jennifer Shaw (Action with Communities in Rural Kent)
Janet Norman (TWBC Housing Dept)
Cllrs Mrs Marian Sargeant, Mrs Watkins, Nichol and Crookall.
Apologies: Cllr Mrs Margaret Sargent.

Housing Needs Survey. Arrangements for the forthcoming survey were discussed at some length. Councillors were satisfied that the standard draft questionnaire with some minor modifications will meet our requirements. In particular we feel that it will now bring out the level of demand for privately owned starter homes as well as similar Housing Association houses. It should also provide guidance on the requirements for Warden assisted accommodation with the ability to distinguish between those wanting the provision in the public or private sectors.

Jennifer Shaw requested that we provide her with copies of the GPC letterhead and advice on the numbers of dwellings in the Parish which has now been done.

It is anticipated that the questionnaires will be prepared and delivered to us about 14th October. A different colour will be used for Kilndown forms. It is essential that we use all possible means of communication to publicise the survey and encourage the most comprehensive cover, stressing the need to help the elderly to complete and return their forms using the accompanying stamped addressed envelope. Distribution will be carried out by Parish Councillors. We hope that this can coincide with the distribution of a rather belated GPC annual report. The return date for completed questionnaires will be 11th November 05. Reasonable steps are being taken to avoid duplicate entries skewing the outcome.

We need to work with the following to encourage a full response: Lunch Club, The Tea Club, Kilndown Newsletter, The Parish Magazine, The Church Weekly Sheet, Ex-Servicemen’s Club and our Web Site - plus any other groups??

TC 8th Sept 2005

Clerk to the Parish Council
Anthony Farnfield MBE
clerk@goudhurst.co.uk