Council pledges to boost affordable housing in the Cotswold District
Cotswold District Council is exploring new ways to deliver more affordable homes across the District to tackle the affordable housing crisis facing Cotswold residents.
Given the pressing need for more affordable homes in the district, the Council is considering options such as developing affordable homes on council-owned land, purchasing homes from the open market and reviewing empty homes across the district to provide the right homes for the right people.
The Council will also review strategic site allocations, brownfield site opportunities and alternative options such as rural exception sites.
Cotswold District Council has identified 1453 households in the district in need of affordable housing, and by taking a more innovative approach, the council aims to explore more innovative ways to address the affordable housing crisis outside of the normal planning process.
The Council will also work with partners such as West Oxfordshire District Council, Bromford Homes, Cottsway Housing Association, and Homes England to find new ways to deliver more affordable homes.
Cllr Joe Harris, Leader of the Council, said: “The average house price in the Cotswold District is now half a million pounds, that’s 14 times higher than average earnings. Meanwhile, we have thousands of people on housing waiting lists. It’s clear that we have a housing emergency in the Cotswolds.”
“Everyone deserves a home to meet their needs. That’s why we are committed to increasing the number of genuinely affordable homes across the district for local people and taking a more proactive and innovative approach to solving this problem.
“The national planning system is not delivering the affordable homes we need despite our efforts to push for more affordable homes in new developments. This approach is about doing all we can to build affordable homes for local people who need them most, not just leaving it to the market where making a profit is the priority rather than the needs of people.”
By adopting this proactive approach, Cotswold District Council aims to set a precedent for local authorities committed to addressing the housing crisis and ensuring that every resident has access to suitable, affordable, and sustainable housing.
Contact Information
Cotswold District Council Communications Team
Notes to editors
- Cotswold District Council’s Cabinet unanimously agreed to explore innovative and proactive models to enhance the council’s ability to increase the supply of affordable homes within the district at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday 7 December.
- Read the Proactive Delivery of Affordable Housing report.
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Left to Right: Cllr Joe Harris, Leader of Cotswold District Council and Robert Nettleton, Chief Executive of Bromford visiting an affordable housing development in Moreton.