Bideford to Barnstaple rail link is top of wish list

Homes for locals second priority

A Bideford to Barnstaple rail link is at the top of local residents’ wish list.

The railway got most support after Torridge District Council asked people for their priorities. Affordable and social housing came second.

Ninety-three people responded to a consultation on the council’s new strategic plan; 30 per cent higher than in previous years. Around a quarter of respondents wanted the rail link to return.

Torridge will now investigate the appetite for an evaluation of the railway’s economic and environmental benefits, along with Devon County Council, North Devon Council and Network Rail.

And the comments about housing will be considered in a new housing strategy.

Cllr James Craigie (Ind, Bideford East) asked the council to go further and list social rented housing as a priority, and to set up a system to help build new homes and bid for government money.

But deputy council leader Cllr Clare Hodson (Ind, Westward Ho!) said whilst social housing is important, it is not the only type of housing needed in the district.

“Our housing strategy will tackle it all and needs to consider all the needs in our community; key workers accommodation, first time buyers and self builds. It needs to be robust.”

Cllr Chris Leather (Ind, Northam) agreed and said: “Not everybody who is looking for a home is looking for a social home. Homes for local needs covers many things.”

Cllr Wendy  Lo-Vel (Green, Northam) said the plan was too vague and that far too much money is being spent on temporary homes for people who found themselves homeless and the council needed to get on top of the situation.

“Money is leaching out of the council. We need social housing. It’s a no brainer really,” she said.

Council leader Ken James (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) said if the council didn’t have a robust plan that covered all its needs, it would not get any money. “We need to build a case and provide the evidence and a full housing strategy is the way to do that,” he told councillors.

One key worker responding to the consultation said they live with their parents because they can’t afford to rent or buy and are considering moving from the area even though they had been born and brought up in Torridge.

 A Bideford to Barnstaple rail link is at the top of local residents’ wish list.

The railway got most support after Torridge District Council asked people for their priorities. Affordable and social housing came second.

Ninety-three people responded to a consultation on the council’s new strategic plan; 30 per cent higher than in previous years. Around a quarter of respondents wanted the rail link to return.

Torridge will now investigate the appetite for an evaluation of the railway’s economic and environmental benefits, along with Devon County Council, North Devon Council and Network Rail.

And the comments about housing will be considered in a new housing strategy.

Cllr James Craigie (Ind, Bideford East) asked the council to go further and list social rented housing as a priority, and to set up a system to help build new homes and bid for government money.

But deputy council leader Cllr Clare Hodson (Ind, Westward Ho!) said whilst social housing is important, it is not the only type of housing needed in the district.

“Our housing strategy will tackle it all and needs to consider all the needs in our community; key workers accommodation, first time buyers and self builds. It needs to be robust.”

Cllr Chris Leather (Ind, Northam) agreed and said: “Not everybody who is looking for a home is looking for a social home. Homes for local needs covers many things.”

Cllr Wendy  Lo-Vel (Green, Northam) said the plan was too vague and that far too much money is being spent on temporary homes for people who found themselves homeless and the council needed to get on top of the situation.

“Money is leaching out of the council. We need social housing. It’s a no brainer really,” she said.

Council leader Ken James (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) said if the council didn’t have a robust plan that covered all its needs, it would not get any money. “We need to build a case and provide the evidence and a full housing strategy is the way to do that,” he told councillors.

One key worker responding to the consultation said they live with their parents because they can’t afford to rent or buy and are considering moving from the area even though they had been born and brought up in Torridge.