Survey of Housing Needs
In an effort to counter the effects of rising house prices in many areas, the Bradford Rural Housing Enabler Project was set up.
It is a partnership between the Yorkshire Rural Community Council, BMDC, the Countryside Agency and local housing associations.
Discussions with BCC in November 2002 led to the publication in March 2003 of a report based on an extensive survey and questionnaires.
Recent large developments in the village have provided relatively few affordable homes for low income or first time buyer groups, the developers preferring to deposit a commuted sum with BMDC instead. (See earlier comment on village population and housing).
Also, the closure of The Lawn has removed a source of sheltered inexpensive accommodation. Taken together these developments have reduced the "affordable" housing stock as a proportion of village homes.
The report by the Rural Housing Enablers is advisory. If the conclusions are to influence planning decisions related to sheltered and affordable housing in future developments, they must be adopted as guidance notes by planners. In particular, every effort must be made to secure the commuted funds that derived from housing schemes in the village and held by BMDC, for developments in Burley.
Copies of this document are available through the Parish Council.