Housing Needs Survey Report

In August last year, the Parish Council in conjunction with TVBC Housing Development team invited people to participate in a housing needs survey to establish if there was a local housing need and how best to address it. The survey report was presented to the Parish Council and approved at this month's meeting. The full survey report is published here: https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/assets/attach/22300/FINAL-Goodworth-Clatford-HNS-Report.pdf.

There were 360 questionnaires distributed and the response rate of 52% (187 replies) is the highest for any survey carried out in Test Valley. Once again this reflects the high level of interest and engagement the village has in such matters. While the findings of the report provide a factual representation of the views of the parish, they will be brought to life as part the update to the Goodworth Clatford Neighbourhood Plan which is being worked on.

The key findings from the survey are:

• 49% of respondents feel there is insufficient housing in the parish for people to move to.
• 35% of respondents would support a housing development scheme of between 11-20 homes, 23% would support a scheme of 4-10 homes, 19% would support a scheme of 21-40 homes, 9% would support a scheme of 1-3 homes and 6% would support a scheme of 41+ homes. 8% provided other comments.
• Overall, out of the 187 surveys received, 166 respondents confirmed they would support a development of some kind within the parish over the next 15 years.
• The tenures most supported (highest ranking) for a housing scheme is for homes to purchase on the open market at 53%, followed by 42% supporting affordable home ownership in the form of shared ownership. There was combined support of 55% for social rented (30%) and affordable rented (25%) housing. 25% would support self-build or custom build homes. This was a multiple choice question.
• There is evidence to support housing for occupants to down-size (majority homeowners), however the data also indicates that the majority of people (61%) would rather remain in their home and under-occupy rather than move.

These findings support the anecdotal evidence that there is a need and support for limited, responsible housing development in the village and particularly for smaller homes which are suitable for families or those wanting to downsize. While this report will be considered as part of the review of any planning application, it's also clear that the government latest planning framework gives much greater latitude to developers to propose and have approved larger developments.