LETTER: Allocate new homes to locals

Now is the time for Horsham to follow the examples being set by other councils across the country.
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According to the Mail Online, St Ives is to ban new developments being sold as holiday homes in a bid to put local residents first; and several other councils are watching developments with interest.

How about all new developments for five or more dwellings must allocate a minimum of 50 per cent to people living within ten miles of Horsham, and not as second (buy-to-let) homes?

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There simply isn’t enough property available at prices the young of Horsham can afford, currently most sales are to people moving from more expensive areas (notably London).

One developer actually said it isn’t advertising locally as prices will be beyond what locals can afford!

Too many people in their twenties are forced to live with their parents, knowing that the only time they will own a property is when their parents have gone, or else they are forced to move away to cheaper areas.

So if a developer sells his 50 per cent unrestricted allowance, but is struggling with the 50 per cent for locals then prices will have to come down to generate interest.

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There is the interest at affordable prices as witnessed by one resale two-bedroom property receiving 40 viewings in a day, so clearly there isn’t enough stock for local people at sensible prices.

Placing a minimum of 50 per cent to be allocated to local people will go some way to alleviating the problem.

MICHAEL TWIDDY

Timber Mill, Southwater

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