Silverdale And Affordable Development.

I was not aware until last evening that the special meeting of the Parish Council held last night was not just to discuss the travellers site issue, but was also to discuss the proposed development of land above Silverdale and Applemead by The Devon And Cornwall Housing Association. As I understand it, and due to the notoriously bad accoustics in the Millenium Hall it was sometimes difficult to follow the entire discussion, the proposal is to build one four bedroom house, three three bedromed houses, and two one bedroomed houses on the site. There seem to be a number of objections from the residents of Silverdale on the basis of parking on Silverdale and Applemead and also because many of the current residents of the area are elderly and bought property in the area because of the peace and tranquility that currently exists.

the DCHA representitives pointed out, in response to concerns voiced by those at the meeting, that these dwellings would be, first and foremost, for people either resident in Silverton, or for those who could demonstrate strong Silverton connections. Housing designs were then passed around which illustrated that the proposed developments would be of a traditionbal design and would fit into the existing development. They also pointed out that there would almost certainly be an ever increasing demand for affordable housing which has now been increased by the current economic crisis and the near certainty that mortgages are almost certainly going to be less obtainable whenever the current crisis ends. They also pointed out that, due to the changing demographic makeup of society, there will be an increased demand for one bedroomed properties for the foreseeable future.

This blog agrees entirely with the position expressed by DCHA and I make a more general point. The demand for affordable housing within this country is now so great that no government or local authority of whatever political persuasion is going to be able to stand in its way. Development will come to Silverton, as elsewhere, and available land will be used where planning regulations can be adhered to. Silverton has changed beyond recognition in my lifetime and no doubt, will change dramatically again innthe years to come both economically and probably culturally, in ways we cannot now imagine. The NIMBY element in the village have to ubderstand that they cannot purchase 'peace and tranquility' beyond the end of their drives. Change will come and houses will be built. The residents of King Street didnt want Silverdale built but they couldnt stop it. Thats the downside of living in a popular village. The pressures mean that others will always want to share in that popularity and that those already resident will want appropriate living accomodation to ensure that they continue to enjoy that popularity.