AN application to build new affordable homes in Halwill Junction has sparked mixed reactions from residents in the village. The proposal to build five new units ? including three affordable homes ? in Halwill Junction will be discussed by Torridge planners today (Thursday). The site is situated on the outskirts of the village of Halwill Junction on land adjacent to the Junction Inn and opposite the Grade II Listed Winsford Centre. The council received letters of support for the application from three local residents. The letters said there were many young people in Halwill Junction that could not afford to buy a house and this proposal would benefit the local community and local housing needs. A further three letters have been received objecting to the proposal, raising a number of issues, among them that the housing needs survey in relation to the application is ?woefully out of date? as well as highways and sewage treatment implications. The outline planning application submitted by applicant R N Pooley says that emerging Regional Spatial Strategy policy states that at least 30% of housing in new developments should be affordable. In areas of greatest need, this should rise to 60%. The present proposal would provide 60%. Torridge District Council?s planning officers say the site is located just outside the defined development boundary of Halwill Junction, though the Local Plan makes provision for ?exceptions? sites where there is a local need for affordable housing. The planning officers judgement is that the applicant has ?adequately demonstrated that the only way of meeting the identified need for affordable housing in Halwill is through the use of exceptions sites.? The council has recommended the planning application be granted subject to a series of conditions. Torridge District Council?s plans committee meets at 2pm this afternoon in Bideford.
