North Dorset Housing Strategy - Have your Say

North Dorset District Council(NDDC) has published its draft Housing Strategy document and opened a consultation on the issues it raises.

The council has chosen three aims for the period covered by the document, 2012-2015. These are: increasing the number of homes available to buy and rent (including affordable homes); protecting the vulnerable and disadvantaged by tackling homelessness and supporting people to stay in their own homes; and making sure that homes are high quality and sustainable.

The council is particularly keen to guage public response to its three aims.

While we can't imagine many people disagreeing with these lofty aims, close reading of the document is recommended to get a real sense of the council's plans.

Of particular interest to Blandford will be the proposals for significant development in the town that will provide 'up to 50% affordable housing'. Figures are not exact although the document predicts 500 new affordable homes in Blandford and Shaftesbury. Extrapolating that data we have at least 1000 new homes in total between the two towns in the next five years. 'Significant development' indeed.

We recommend reading the draft document here to get a good idea of what the council plans to do over the next few years. Housing is always a contentious issue, where idealism goes head to head with both nimbyism and real, genuine concerns for protecting the part of the world we call home.

You have until Friday 16th March to make your feelings known.