Results of survey October 2006 - Summary

This is a summary of the survey conducted in October 2006 to determine (a) the level of support for the provision of affordable housing and (b) the preferred site for affordable housing.

Simmary of survey conducted October 2006

Participation

• Over 300 survey forms distributed, covering all households in the parish
• 104 survey forms returned
• 232 elector’s views represented (each form covered a household, some of which contain more than one elector)
• 32% of electorate represented (there are 722 electors)

The responses came from across the parish:

There were no forms identified as having been returned from Drayton, Partridge Close, or Hill Farm area.

Responses from outside the parish were not included in the analysis.

Key conclusion 1 - Indicativeness

The level of response (the same as for recent the parish council election, and better than for a general election) and the breadth of coverage (almost all areas of the parish responded) confirms the survey can be accepted as representing of the views of the whole of the parish.

Of the 104 forms returned, 91 gave their name and address, 1 gave an address only, and 12 gave neither name nor address. This level of attribution reinforces the premise that the responses are properly indicative.

Of the 232 electors represented, 56 said they had attended the public meeting on 15 September, and 131 said they had read the affordable housing briefing pack produced by the parish council, either on paper from the village or on the web site. This level of engagement indicates the electors cast their votes on a well informed basis.

Key conclusion 2 – Support for provision of affordable housing

To assess the level of support for this proposal, we separated the response into two groups:

• 97% of electors expressed support for provision of affordable housing, - whether the vote was in favour of Site 2A or in favour of some other site.
• 3% of electors expressed opposition to the provision of affordable housing.

With an overwhelming majority in favour, this gives a clear statement of support for the Parish Council’s proposal for the provision of affordable housing in Barton Stacey.

Key conclusion 3 – Support for Site 2A

• 59% of electors expressed support for Site 2A
• 21% of electors expressed opposition to Site 2A
• 19% of electors expressed support for some site other than Site 2A
• 58% of electors expressed opposition to any site other than Site 2A

With almost a three-to-one vote in favour of Site 2A and against any other site, this is a clear statement of the overall support for the Parish Council’s proposal. (The majority of people who voted for Site 2A also voted against the use of any site other than Site 2A).

There is a need to note the basis on which the proposal for Site 2A was made:

• It would be just for the 8 houses we want – not part of a larger development
• It is protected from further development
• The MoD is willing to sell it at the right price now
• Work could start soon
• We would be able to utilise the grant already earmarked for these houses

If the usage of Site 2A were to fall outside these conditions, the level of support from the electorate cannot be assumed.

Key conclusion 4 - Support for alternate sites

The support for other sites was varied:

Of the alternate sites proposed, four have already been assessed by the Parish Council. Of these, three (Site 1, Site 2, Site 3) are deemed to be unsuitable because the land owner is not willing to sell, and one (Wades Farm) is deemed to be unsuitable for the reasons given in the information pack.

With the level of support for the proposed Site 2A, there is no useful purpose served in considering the remaining alternate sites in more detail, or whether it would indeed be possible to use them.

Key conclusion 5 - Take up of affordable housing

20 respondents indicated they were interested in taking up affordable housing in Barton Stacey. Of these, 17 were electors within the parish, and 3 were from outside the parish but had strong connections with the parish.

The more detailed information regarding possible eligibility is with CAH for follow up.

Summary of survey data