Braunton faces a housing crisis as families struggle to find affordable homes, prompting local charities to advocate for new social housing developments.
Devon CPRE, a countryside charity, is stepping up. They support plans for nine social homes near the Great Field. This could help a bit, providing 10% of the needed social housing without adding a bunch of market homes.
Steve Crowther, the chairman, believes this is a good move. He says they want to protect the countryside while also helping locals find homes. It’s not about stopping all development; it’s about making sure young people can stay in the area.
Emma Hookway, who started the North Devon and Torridge Housing Crisis Group, shares her story. She faced a tough time finding a place for her and her son. The rental market is tight, and many families are being forced out.
House prices in North Devon shot up by 22.5% in just one year. That’s a huge jump! With 14,000 families on waiting lists, the need for affordable housing is clear.
The initial application for the new homes is just a start. The hope is that the full application will focus on quality design and sustainability. Local support is strong, so it might get discussed in the planning committee soon.
