MORE affordable housing is needed in the Upper Dales according to a review commissioned by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and Richmondshire District Council.
The review was prompted by a legal challenge to the building of five new, affordable houses in Bainbridge.
The YDNPA Planning Committee passed a resolution in February granting permission for the new homes, but the development was stalled by the legal challenge brought by ‘the Holmbrae Residents Group’.
The group claimed that the need for affordable housing in Bainbridge had not been proven.
They also said the proposed ‘discounted for sale’ homes could not properly be regarded as affordable.
The review – by the consultancy firm, Arc4 Ltd – has concluded, however, that affordable homes are needed “to support long-term community sustainability” in the Upper Dales.
It also says the proposal to sell the homes at a discount of 30 per cent below market value meets the definition of affordable housing.
The study highlights “the scale of second/holiday home ownership and implicit pressure on existing stock to provide for local residents”.
It says local estate agents note “a definite need for local affordable housing”, and describes all the local residents interviewed as part of the review as being “in need of affordable housing”.
The review found that only 7 per cent of households in Bainbridge could afford to buy a house on the open market at current prices.
However, between 13 per cent and 27 per cent of households could afford discount for sale affordable housing.
It concludes: “Bainbridge is a thriving community but with an ageing population and pressure from second/holiday home ownership.
“It is a community which needs to be sustained through the delivery of new affordable housing. This is an issue which extends across the Upper Dales Area.
The YDNPA’s head of development management, Richard Graham, said: “The Arc4 report demonstrates that there is an annual need, and a backlog of unmet need, for affordable housing within the Upper Dales area.”
The Planning Committee will reconsider the planning application on Tuesday in light of the report, with a recommendation to grant permission.
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