Local Need for Housing
4.1 A major issue in many rural settlements is the availability of a range of house types, both affordable and otherwise, for a range of buyers who need to be in the area. This could include:
- Families who need a larger property within the settlement
- First time buyers who currently live in the settlement but are unable to afford to buy a property there
- Older people who are looking to downsize
- People who have links to the settlement, such as they grew up there, but are unable to afford to buy a property in the settlement and either have had to, or will have to, move elsewhere to get on the property ladder.
For residential development, both market housing and affordable, the local need must be clearly demonstrated within the settlement boundary that the development falls within - a need within another settlement will not be considered acceptable.