West Devon Borough Councillors have recently expressed frustration at the sale of social housing and the resultant lack of replacement in Bere Alston.

Two semi-detached houses in Bere Alston, located on Lockeridge Road and Pounds Park, were first advertised for sale by housing association LiveWest in September 2021 when the previous tenants vacated and have now both been purchased by private buyers. Both properties had not received any major refurbishment or renovation since they were first built over 70 years ago and were sold off respectively as an alternative to renovation.

Bere Ferrers ward borough Cllr Peter Crozier said: ‘What concerns myself and other councillors is that LiveWest is free to sell these houses without providing any replacement, which is reducing the stock of social housing in the village, at least until new houses are built by a housing association.

‘We need a proactive plan in place to ensure houses are replaced and/or maintained. There’s currently a social housing emergency; I knew a family housing looking for social housing in Bere Alston at the time who could have benefitted from either of these properties but sadly auctioning off is an easier option than renovating.

‘Local people in need may be placed somewhere outside of Bere Alston, perhaps even far away from the village, but the question is where? Housing Associations own all the social housing in the village and there are over 130 social houses on the Bere peninsula.’

Without any immediate replacement, those in need on waiting lists are more likely to be housed outside of the village or district - away from friends, family and local connections.

The sale of social housing has taken place in other areas of West Devon too. Exbourne ward borough Cllr Barry Ratcliffe said: ‘Two dwellings located in North Tawton owned by LiveWest were put on the market approximately a year ago. The reasons given for the sale were that one dwelling was listed, the other in a poor state of repair and it was no longer viable to retain them. I am concerned when any social housing stock is lost and in this instance, have not been advised that the two dwellings have been replaced, ideally within the town boundary. The housing association have a continuing plan for the construction of new dwelling, which is to be applauded, but not result in the sale of existing stock’.

Nathan Cronk, director of asset management at LiveWest said: ‘We identified that it would be more cost effective for us to sell these two properties in Bere Alston and use the funds to build new, more energy efficient affordable homes in the area.

‘We recognise there is a shortage of affordable housing in West Devon. We are playing a leading role in addressing this and are keen continue to work with our partners at West Devon Borough Council to develop elsewhere in the Borough to meet housing need, subject to viable land being available. Our new development, The Tors, in Tavistock will deliver 339 homes when complete, including homes for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sale for families in West Devon.’

A public overview and srutiny meeting will be taking place on Tuesday, April 26 at 2pm in West Devon Borough Council Chambers to discuss the matter of social housing. A director from LiveWest will be present to answer questions posed by elected members of the Council. It will also be broadcast live and available to view again on both West Devon Borough Council’s website and YouTube.