PARISH PLAN FOR HOUSING

Following on from the Village Appraisal; the Parish Plan included consideration of the need for additional housing. Although the general impression at the time of the appraisal was that the provision of homes for local people was desirable it was apparent that there was little real support for the idea of further development within the village.

The significant increase in the cost of housing since the appraisal was felt to have redefined the original objectives. Proposals for development between Starcross and Dawlish raised questions regarding the ability of the local infrastructure to cope with expansion. We were extremely conscious of the difficulty in identifying a site within the current building line of the village that would be suitable for development without having a detrimental affect upon those living nearby.

The numbers of properties available for let has shown a marked increase in the last couple of years.  It became clear that the need for housing in Exeter was being driven up as a result of the City’s commercial expansion. Any development within Exeter’s ‘dormitory belt’ would be less likely to benefit local families or to significantly contribute to the village as a community.

Having sought more detailed feedback through the Starcross Newsletter and having considered both the long term value to the village and the implications of additional housing development, the Council concluded this portion of the Parish Plan with its decision not to pursue this matter further.

May I thank those who responded to my earlier pleas for help and information and take the opportunity to remind you that there are still a number of projects within the Plan that need your support and help and suggest that anyone with a few spare hours per month to volunteer should contact the Parish Clerk or any member of the Council.

Roger Crane - (01626) 891152

Parish Local Housing Needs Report
Community Hall Business Plan - Draft Discussion Document
New section about the Community Hall
Draft Biodiversity Plan
Download Draft Biodiversity (Acrobat Document)

Website © designed and hosted by UKWebs