Yapton affordable housing gives hope to families

STRUGGLING families have finally benefited from a new, affordable housing development in Yapton.

The £10.5m site in Bilsham Road, described by residents as a “God-send,” offers 59 much-needed affordable two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, 39 of them for rent and 20 as shared ownership properties.

All boast the latest in energy-saving technology, including solar panels, energy-saving bulbs and built-in internal heat recovery units.

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Homeowners are also pleased at the lowered cost in their bills, with some now paying a quarter of what they used to spend on gas and electricity.

However, many families who have moved into the new estate were forced to endure months, even years, on a housing register.

Donald Wadey, his wife, Beverly and their four children had to wait more than five years.

He said: “The housing waiting list is huge and five years is a very long time.

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“There have been a lot of times we have got our hopes up, only to be let down time and time again.

“These houses are really well designed, with a great living area and two bathrooms. It has given our family a sense of security.”

The homes, developed by Affinity Sutton and Berkeley Homes, are the latest environmentally friendly homes to be built in the district, after gaining financial support from both Arun District Council, who contributed a grant of £150,000, and the Homes and Communities Agency providing £3.7m worth of funding.

Councillor Roger Elkins, cabinet member for housing and community care at the council, said: “The people of Arun told us they wanted more affordable housing and we are working hard to give it to them.”

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However, a debate is currently raging as to whether or not the council is effectively delivering on its promise to bolster the district’s affordable housing levels. In a letter to the Gazette last month, Arun Labour leader, Roger Nash, slammed the Conservative-controlled council’s decision to slash its housebuilding target by about 20 per cent.

He said: “This decision flies in the face of overwhelming evidence that Arun has a serious and growing housing deficit.

“Figures from housing charity Shelter, which has been working with Arun, show that over the next 10 years, 379 new ‘affordable’ homes need to be built each year to stand any chance of reducing the current housing waiting list of more than 3,400 or even begin tackling the thousands of hidden homeless within Arun.”

Councillor Ricky Bower, Arun’s cabinet member for planning, said he expected fewer than half of the 3,400 households highlighted by Mr Nash would not qualify under a new rule of living in the district for five years before qualifying for a place on the waiting list.

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“Those currently in the most important categories of housing need amount to around 1,000 and Arun will deliver on their need over the next five years. A total of 765 ‘affordable homes’ already have planning permission,” added Mr Bower.

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