Affordable Housing Proposal

In 2007 the possibility of an affordable housing development was raised. The issue was discussed at the 2007 Annual Parish meeting, following which a survey was distributed to all households in Theddingworth, Mowsley and Laughton. The survey results identified a need and support for a small affordable development, and a potential site in Toms Close was identified. Preliminary negotiations on the availability of this site have been taking place since that time between East Midlands Housing Association and the landowner.

The Council discussed the present situation with the Rural Housing Enabler, and representatives of both the Housing Association and Harborough District Council at its meetings in February and March 2009.

It was concluded that given the time that has elapsed since the original survey, it was necessary to consult the community again to establish whether a need still exists for an affordable housing development, and a new survey was planned.

It had been hoped that the results of this new survey would be available for the Annual Parish meeting on May 12, but this is now unlikely. There will however still be a discussion of the issue at the May 12 meeting, which representatives of the Housing Association and Harborough District Council will attend to answer questions. It would be extremely useful if as many residents as possible could attend to make their views known.

Contrary to speculation, no decision has yet been made, and residents will have every opportunity to make comments.

The Council has now obtained a copy of the lettings criteria for affordable housing developments from Harborough District Council, and this can be viewed from the link on the news page

Updated status - June 2009
The Annual Parish meeting on May 12 discussed the proposed affordable housing development in Theddingworth. Following information provided to the meeting by Raj Patel from Harborough District Council and April Knapp from East Midlands Housing Association, the meeting passed a resolution requesting the Parish Council to commission a new survey to update the level of need for a development, and determine support for the proposal.
The Council has now received new information from Raj Patel, as follows:
• A copy of the lettings and eligibility criteria typically used for affordable housing developments on Rural Exception sites has been provided, and is displayed on the Council website by following the link on the news page
• The meeting on May 12 was told that an updated survey and/or development covering Theddingworth alone would be acceptable to Harborough District Council (HDC). Following discussions with the Rural Housing Enabler, Mr Patel has now told the Parish Council this is not correct – any scheme must also include Mowsley and Laughton. Mr Patel has advised that HDC is unwilling to fund an updated survey covering Theddingworth alone, and the Rural Housing Enabler had previously advised the Parish Council that Mowsley and Laughton are unwilling to conduct new surveys.
• Should the Parish Council wish to conduct its own independent survey, Mr Patel has advised that the results would not be accepted by the stakeholders (HDC, East Midlands Housing Association, and the Rural Housing Enabler)
• Following concerns raised about the proposed site in Toms Close, Mr Patel has stated that HDC and the Rural Housing Enabler are not willing to undertake a new process of site selection from scratch, although if a specific alternative site was put forward it would be considered. The final decision on site suitability would be made by the Planning Department at HDC.
• Mr Patel has suggested that: ‘Given the uncertainty created by the present economic climate and the potential for cheaper properties becoming available on the market, you (the Parish) may wish to consider revisiting this whole project a few years on from now’

The Parish Council has yet to decide how to proceed in light of this new information, and discussed the matter further at its June 30 meeting. It is planned to issue a new letter to all households in the Village in the near future.