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Rural Services Disappearing In South Northants
| Author: Mark Sibson | Published: 3rd July 2018 10:27 |
Aileen Evans, GUHG Chief Executive, said: “The country is currently in the middle of a housing emergency and we need to respond by building much needed housing that is truly affordable. That’s why we have committed to double our build programme over the next five years by investing over £200m to build over 1,800 new homes.
New figures show rural services in South Northants are disappearing, but upcoming housing plans aim to help area thrive
Across South Northamptonshire services and businesses have been disappearing as people are priced out of housing in their local community. New analysis of the latest data reveals that 5 schools and 3,337 post offices have closed down in the region over the last five years, as well as and 287 pubs across the East and West Midlands according to the National Housing Federation.1
Whilst businesses have been closing, house prices have hugely inflated in the area and become out of reach for local families. A worker on average earnings in South Northants needs a 137% pay rise to be able to afford a mortgage.2
But Grand Union Housing Group (GUHG) has promised to offer a lifeline to local residents otherwise priced out of an area they’ve known all their lives. They want to help the area beat the tide of dying villages with a new development of 10 affordable homes in Greatworth.
The announcement of these new homes comes as housing associations up and down the country celebrate Rural Housing Week (2-6 July), which aims to shine a light on how affordable housing can breathe life into rural communities, by bringing new customers and job opportunities that help keep open local shops or pubs that residents rely on.
Ahead of Rural Housing Week, many housing associations across England have been signing up to the 5-star plan for rural housing, developed by the National Housing Federation with housing associations. The plan challenges the sector to increase delivery of rural housing and continue contributing positively to a thriving countryside.
Aileen Evans, GUHG Chief Executive, said: “The country is currently in the middle of a housing emergency and we need to respond by building much needed housing that is truly affordable. That’s why we have committed to double our build programme over the next five years by investing over £200m to build over 1,800 new homes.
“These homes need to be in the areas that really need them and are as accessible as possible. We are committed to building more homes, stronger communities and better lives.”
Monica Burns, External Affairs Manager for rural housing at the National Housing Federation, says:
“Today’s findings show that far too few homes are being built for local people and villages are dying as a result. Young people are moving to cities and often house prices are rocketing. Right across rural England, schools are shutting their doors to pupils. Post offices, which provide vital community services, are closing at a similar rate and countless pubs are serving their last ever orders to locals.
“It’s therefore very welcome news that housing associations like Grand Union are stemming this tide in Northamptonshire by building the new homes local people desperately need.”
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Comments
Ian McCordGet below the headline and the article contains no specific South Northants statistics; not one. It cites statistics for Northamptonshire and East Midlands which is misleading.
So, let's set the record straight:-
No school closures have taken place in South Northants, the reality is we approved a new primary school that is now open and thriving at Silverstone and a new primary is under construction at Radstone fields to serve the new population to the north of Brackley.
No pub closures have happened in the District, a number have been refurbished and reopened to significant success, including at Greens Norton, Towcester and Morton Pinkney.
Increased housing is available, growing at 600 units per annum generating 11,020 new houses in total by 2029 of varying sizes, types and prices.
The Council has invested in the redevelopment of Brackley square and Moat lane in Towcester. Both towns have lower vacancy rates on the high street in Brackley (5%) and Towcester (8%), compared with the national average (12.2%) on the latest 2017 statistics.
The Council invested in the new swimming pool under construction in Brackley and invested to ensure over 95% of the District has superfast broadband.
Company growth and inward investment has continued across the District, where over 5,000 businesses are located - at Silverstone through MEPC, Grange Park (Amazon and John Lewis), Mercedez Petronas and Facenda in Brackley and Yuen Logistics. Even four new breweries have been established in the District over the past 4 years.
The unemployment rate remains one of the lowest in the U.K, and has a very high employment level of over 80%.
The article claims decline, the reality is a very successful growing District. In short the article was not written by someone based locally. It is misleading and just plain wrong.
Ian McCord
Leader, South Northamptonshire Council
peter kSadly local councils are now largely in the hands of their out sourced contractors, whether housing developers or bus services'. The days of council planners, planning, long gone, and real council housing development a distant memory.
Hopefully, people will eventually wise up and realise that local councils, properly funded from local and central funding, is the real solution to all our social needs.
That said, SNC are battling to remain a viable local driving force. Possibly the last gasp before planned amalgamation with Daventry and NCC.
Good luck to us all..............................
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