In March 2023, and in collaboration with the Warwickshire Rural Community Council (WRCC), Great Alne Parish Council (GAPC) undertook a Housing Needs Survey that was physically delivered to all dwellings in the parish, as well as being available online. The main purpose of the survey was to assess the need for new affordable homes in the parish, and it was specifically targeted at those with a local connection to the parish or who would like to return to live in this parish.

Once the responses had been collated, our Rural housing Enabler at the WRCC prepared a report on the analysis. The WRCC identified a need in Great Alne for sixteen homes for households with a local connection. Eleven of these were housing association rental properties and five were owner occupier. The type of property required included nine one bed flats/maisonettes, three houses and four bungalows. There are also sixteen households registered on the local housing waiting list for properties in Great Alne.

Therefore, GAPC is looking to establish a small-scale development of up to sixteen homes near to the amenities of the main village.

Following this report, GAPC instructed WRCC to investigate potential sites. These sites were based on investigations undertaken with GAPC in 2012 and land proposed to GAPC by land agents. The WRCC provided comments concerning the suitability of sites to GAPC in August 2023. GAPC then asked the Rural Housing Enabler to carry out further investigation. Discussions were undertaken with several landowners and five sites were identified where the landowner had expressed a willingness to work with the community for the provision of affordable homes; to answer the need identified in the March 2023 survey report.

These sites were put to the community at the Community Action Day on 2nd March. The documents that were presented to residents are attached for information:

• A presentation prepared by the WRCC explaining
  • the background to the survey,
  • what is meant by a 'local connection',
  • where rural affordable housing is usually built,
  • scheme requirements, and
  • why we need affordable housing in Great Alne
• A map showing the location of the five proposed sites.
• A consultation comment form for residents.

All residents are encouraged to review the documentation and use the form to rate the proposed sites. The form also has space for further questions or comments. Please return completed forms to the WRCC at housing@wrccrural.org.uk and the Clerk at greatalne.parishcouncil@gmail.com.

We are inviting comments on this initial list of sites through till Monday 8th April 2024.

The Rural Housing Enabler will then prepare a report for GAPC on residents' feedback which will be carefully considered. GAPC will then prepare a detailed list of criteria against which all of the preferred sites will be assessed with a view to shortlisting the sites.

All parts of the process and relevant information will be transparent and publicly available; residents will be consulted and have an opportunity to engage at all stages during the process.

GAPC is seeking community support for this small rural housing development of up to sixteen homes. Our previous housing needs survey in 2012 led to the Linfoot Oaks development, which has been a success story for all involved. GAPC is keen to replicate this success, keeping control of the scale, nature and design of the small development. We are very mindful of concerns such as flooding, protection of wildlife, traffic and speeding – but we also have a duty to provide affordable housing to those people with a local connection to Great Alne and to provide them with an opportunity to live here.