Shelter highlights affordable housing shortage in Oxfordshire eco-town debate » Housing » 24dash.com

Housing charity Shelter is today encouraging local people to make their voices heard in the debate about the proposed eco-town in Weston Otmoor.

The charity says that everyone, including those affected by the lack of affordable housing, should get involved in the consultation process on the plans to ensure local housing needs are fully discussed.

Shelter has produced an information booklet that explains the housing situation in and around Weston Otmoor to make sure local residents have the fullest picture possible in order to make an informed decision on whether or not the eco-town should go ahead.

The booklet outlines the shortage of affordable housing in Weston Otmoor and the effect this is having on local people. There are currently more than 7,000 households on council waiting lists in the two local authority areas relevant to Weston Otmoor, yet the amount of affordable homes available keeps falling.

Looking at the Oxfordshire housing market area as a whole, the levels of need and shortage of affordable housing increases further.

Karen Stalbow, Shelter’s senior regional campaign officer for the South East, said: “Most people acknowledge there is a desperate shortage of affordable housing in Oxfordshire.

“We hope this booklet spells out exactly what the extent of this problem is, and highlights why we think the proposed eco-town, or other developments of the same scale, could help to address this need if planned properly through local consultation.”

Ms Stalbow added: “At present we are supportive of the proposed plans for at least 3,000 – 5,000 affordable homes in Oxfordshire, which are desperately needed in the county.

“Shelter understands people have concerns about aspects of Parkridge Holdings’ bid that we have not addressed in this booklet, including supporting transport and infrastructure issues.

"However, we hope that by participating in the public consultation the people of Oxfordshire will be able to raise their concerns and shape the way the proposed eco-town might look."