THE correspondence between Cllr Connelly, a West Devon Borough Cllr/County Cllr, and Philip Sanders, prospective County Council Conservative candidate for Tavistock, shows commendable concern for local affordable housing provision, but a lack of knowledge of the facts. Whilst this correspondence has been taking place, on March 1, West Devon adopted its Local Plan Review and I have been extremely fortunate to have been involved with our officers during the seven years its has taken. Developed with care and consideration and with the help of many agencies and the community at large, our Local Plan has received unequivocal support from Government inspectors for its intentions to provide 35% of affordable housing on all major housing sites within the borough over the next few years. Those ?pious hopes? have been translated into ?robust? action immediately, with a negotiated agreement by the potential developers that 47 units will be provided on the Manor Estate, Tavistock ?they will be built within the next two/three years. Previously, and with a housing strategy that is the only one in Devon to be endorsed by Government as being ?fit for purpose?, £4.l-million of our own money has attracted £5.6-million of Government funding, thereby building 224 units of affordable housing in the borough since 2000. And we are proud of that. Part of the conundrum of providing affordable housing will always be ?where is the money coming from? and we look for new pools all the time. The county council has not renewed its agreement with district and borough councils to use its share of the money raised from imposing an equitable tax on second homes for more affordable housing. This has been a huge disappointment. If either Mr Sanders or Cllr Connelly is elected to the county on May 5, will they work with their borough council colleagues to understand the constraints we are under ? and endeavour to get the county council to renew that agreement? Those who need affordable housing don?t really want ?pious hopes? or election promises ? they want ?robust? action! Cllr Margaret Garton Chair, Future Planning and Housing Committee West Devon Borough Council and Independent member for Buckland Monachorum AS ever, local house prices are a hot topic, but there is rarely any mention of the flipside to the property boom. Every day in Britain, more than one million children have to suffer in housing that doesn?t have room for them to play or do homework, that is dangerous, or that makes them sick. And it?s happening near us. With property prices rocketing, and affordable housing in short supply, will the next generation of children have anywhere to call home? In a recent survey carried out by Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity, I read that more than 90% of people believe that the answer is no. I urge readers to remember the children who are paying the real price of bad housing, and take every opportunity to remind our politicians about this shocking situation. Miss Lisa Davey 7 Broadoak Cottages Plymouth
