Funds available to buy development land in Herefordshire

Published by webmaster for Bridge Group, The in Communities

Landowners across Herefordshire are being urged to help tackle a shortage of affordable homes in the region to stop local people being forced to move away.

There are more than 8,000 people on the housing list in the county and it is one of the least affordable places to live in the UK because of the gulf between the cost of property and average earnings in an area traditionally heavy with seasonal, manual jobs.

Leading local housing association West Mercia Housing Group is aiming to address the in-balance and embark on a number of new developments across the area, focusing on creating homes for people on the waiting list – but is struggling to find available land despite having funds to spend.

So it has issued a plea to landowners to come forward to sell surplus land, even if it is in a place where they have been unable to get planning permission in the past.

“There is a real problem with finding land available for development in Herefordshire but there is a huge need for more affordable housing in the county,” said Paul High, development director at West Mercia Housing Group, which manages 5,300 properties across the region.

“In Herefordshire, the average income is among the lowest in the region and there is a huge difference between that and the average house prices.

“We are looking for opportunities to develop new homes in Hereford, the market towns and more rural areas, but we are struggling to find available land.

“Some landowners might not be interested in selling because they think it will never get planning permission. As a housing association, there are instances where we might be able to get permission in a certain area, for instance on the edge of a village, that private developers cannot.

”We want to create sustainable communities, integrated with improved local services and in keeping with the surroundings, built for local people so they can stay in the area they grew up in rather than being forced to move elsewhere.”

Latest statistics show that the average (mean) annual income in Herefordshire is £19, 208 (*). The average house price in the country is £190,558 (**).

Areas in particular need of new homes include Hereford, Ross, Leominster and Ledbury.

Any landowner who thinks they might be able to help can contact Paul High or Ann Harris, at West Mercia Housing Group, on 01527 556400, or email paul.high@wmhousing.co.uk or ann.harris@wmhousing.co.uk

Ends

Press release issued: January 12 2007