Have Your Say on Housing Priorities Across the South Hams and West Devon

Dec 19, 2020 | Community News Post

South Hams District Council Press Release 14 December 2020

South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils are asking local people to share their thoughts on the most important issues for local housing.

These are challenging times for the South Hams and West Devon.  If 2020 has taught us anything, it is the importance of our homes and where we live. That is why the Councils want to hear local views on their proposed Housing Strategy 2021-2026. A seven-week consultation on the strategy launches today, 14 December 2020. Titled, Better Homes, Better Lives, it sets out a series of priorities around housing, which will help support the health and wellbeing of residents whilst recognising the unique qualities of the local area.

Many important local issues are highlighted in the plan. These include:

  • The need for quality, affordable housing
  • Access to the Disabled Facilities Grant to fund essential adaptations in homes and to promote independent living
  • The role housing planning can play in meeting climate change targets

This is your opportunity to help shape housing priorities for the future of our communities. Public feedback is vital to the success of the plan and will help the Councils to identify if any significant changes need to be made before it is formally adopted.

That is where the Councils need your help.  To make sure everyone has a chance to join the conversation, there are several ways to have your say.  Firstly, you can complete the online survey at www.westdevon.gov.uk/wd-housing-strategy or www.southhams.gov.uk/sh-housing-strategy This should only take a few minutes of your time. A series of super-quick 10-second polls will also run across the Councils’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. These are designed to capture local views on some of the most important elements of the strategy. Please follow us on Twitter @SouthHamsDC or @WestDevon_BC, Facebook @southhamsdistrictcouncil @westdevonboroughcouncil or Instagram @south.hams or @westdevon.boroughcouncil and have your say. Alternative formats are also available on request.

Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council Executive Member for Homes said:  “To make sure our plans truly meet local need, we now want our residents to join in the conversation. To make this easier for more people, we’ve got a choice of ways to have your say. We’ve got a short online survey that should only take a few minutes to complete. We’re also planning a series of mini-surveys on Facebook and Twitter. These make it simple to share your views and we hope they will encourage even more people to get involved. ”Cllr Debo Sellis, West Devon Borough Council Hub Lead for Homes added: “This strategy comes at a time of great uncertainty following a year of restrictions and lockdowns as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. A time when “home” took on a stronger meaning.

“As we move forward, it is important that we revisit our priorities and make commitments to change. That’s why we have called our strategy Better Homes, Better Lives. I urge everyone to spare just a few moments to have their voice heard. By telling us what is most important to you, we can deliver a plan that really will make a difference to our communities.”

The Housing Strategy focuses on six important themes:

Housing for Place

  • Ensuring sustainable housing growth
  • Promote balanced and sustainable communities
  • Ensuring that homes support the health and wellbeing of the area

Housing for People

  • Homes that support the health and wellbeing of our residents
  • Make the best use and improve quality of existing housing
  • Ensuring that people can access the support and advice they require

Both Councils have declared a climate emergency and greener initiatives that deliver on carbon reduction, green energy and improving homes in a sustainable way are key aspects of this strategy.

There are a number of ways to join the conversation and have your say about the proposed Housing Strategy.

You can read the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 here: www.southhams.gov.uk/housing-strategy or www.westdevon.gov.uk/housing-strategy

You can take part in the full consultation survey here: www.southhams.gov.uk/sh-housing-strategy or www.westdevon.gov.uk/wd-housing-strategy

To make it even easier for more people to get involved, the Councils will also be asking for feedback via social media. Please follow the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and look out for a series of posts inviting you to have your say.

  • Twitter @SouthHamsDC or @WestDevon_BC
  • Facebook @southhamsdistrictcouncil @westdevonboroughcouncil
  • Instagram @south.hams or @westdevon.boroughcouncil

The consultation runs until 10am on 1 February 2021.

-ENDS