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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Local Councils have sufficient powers to provide affordable housing in rural areas says AM
January 29, 2008 12:00 AM
Local Councils in Wales already have most of the tools they need to tackle the issue of affordable housing in rural areas, the Welsh Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson, Peter Black has said.
Mr. Black is to give evidence at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Commission (JRF) on Rural Housing when they convene in Cardiff tomorrow (Wednesday 30th January). The JRF is one of the largest social policy research charities in the UK. its remit is to investigate the roots and causes of social disadvantage. Peter Black has been collecting data to develop a report on the availability of affordable housing in rural areas in Wales and is attending the event to pursue and discuss solutions to the problem.
"Evidence from Councils such as South Shropshire, where a robust policy on affordable housing has been built into all their policies and strategies, illustrates the essential truth that if a local authority uses the tools available to them and takes the trouble to cover all the bases then a great deal can be delivered with existing powers," said Mr. Black. "South Shropshire Council insists that half of all new developments contain an affordable element and they tie this down with legally enforceable equity mortgages. This compares with a target of 30% on larger developments set by most rural authorities in Wales."
"Many Councils are already looking at rural exemption sites to ensure that affordable housing can be provided in communities which may not otherwise have land available for development. There are currently four Rural Housing Enablers employed in Wales as well to assist this process. More Councils need to follow that example. Homebuy is also a possible solution and yet the Welsh Government seems to have switched its emphasis away from this scheme, despite its proven ability to help first time buyers get on the housing ladder.
"We must recognise that this is a long term strategy. Although results are not going to be seen overnight, it is all the more important to find the right solutions now. If a council has clear aims and officers and councillors who are determined to deliver them, then I believe that we can do a lot more to get into suitable housing".
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