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As part of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan for Cotton End, the Parish Council has asked Bedfordhsire Rural Communities Charity to carry out an independent survey of housing need in the parish. This survey is a follow on to the questionnaire which you were asked to complete in January 2020. The results of both surveys, along with other consultations, will be used to develop our neighbourhood plan.
The aim of this survey is to identify whether there is a shortage of housing for local people who cannot afford to rent or buy a suitable home at current prices. We are also interested in local demand for market housing within the parish. Any resulting affordable homes would be prioritised for people with a local connection to the parish.
There are various types of affordable housing, perhaps most common is ‘Affordable rental’, where rent is capped at no more than 80% of market rent, ‘Shared Ownership’, where you can buy/mortgage a share in a property and pay rent to a Housing Association on the remainder and the ‘Help to buy’ scheme, which provides loans to those wishing to purchase a home on the open market but don’t have enough money for a deposit.
It is important that you return your questionnaire regardless of personal need to ensure all views are taken into consideration. A separate form should be completed for each potential new household. Forms can also be sent to family members living away from Cotton End who would like to return to the parish or people working in the parish but not currently living here. The survey can also be completed online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cottonend
The information that you provide is confidential. The report produced will not provide any personal information about individuals or households.
