Lack of suitable and affordable housing provision is one of the biggest issues today facing Hampshire and indeed the whole country. Across the UK, families, and particularly younger people and those on lower incomes, struggle to get on the housing ladder with many priced out of the market by the forces of too much demand and not enough supply. Nowhere is this problem more acute than in the rural villages of the south east, especially when it comes to affordable and family homes. We have some of the most picturesque countryside, good local amenities and the best weather in the UK – so it’s not at all surprising that many people want to live in our part of the world.
So many people spend years in rented housing while they try to come up with an ever-increasing deposit to buy their first home. The problem also causes dislocation when younger people, who have spent their whole lives as part of a particular community, can only afford to buy a house many miles away and this means less social cohesion too. Add in an ageing population, and trends like these can damage our villages and rural communities. It makes them less diverse and less vibrant.
But what can we do about it? Bluntly, there is really only one solution to this problem and it is never universally popular, we simply have to build more homes, and particularly affordable ones. Now, I fully understand that many of you may have misgivings about this. Like me, you cannot fail to have seen the increased traffic problems and the strain on our infrastructure over the last two decades.
But when housing development is built sympathetically with existing homes and fits in with the communities, it can be a real boost for the local economy and village life. We are quite fortunate in the Meon Valley to have many good developments. I remember in 2011 cutting the first sod on such a development for ten affordable homes in West Meon. The homes are now an integral part of the village community, providing extra provision for people with strong local connections. This scheme, and others like it, shows how villages can embrace the challenges of expand ing without losing their identity.
horndeanmatters 
All talk, short on action. Anyone who has looked at the new housing estate at Clanfield will know that sustainable housing was never a concern for the developers and those that gave planning permission. I enquired about the availability of two bedroom properties for my daughter and was informed that they did not build any! When I asked about 3 bedroom properties I was told that there were only a few built. What was available were 4 and 5 bedroom houses priced between £450,000 and £550,000. When I asked where did they expect to get buyers with that amount of money from the surrounding area,I was told they were not looking for local buyers but we’re hoping to lure people from London now that the Hindhead tunnel is open.
All the time developers are focussed on greed, people will go without housing.
Sustainable housing your having a laugh.!
And who will buy the affordable housing…. those who want to and can afford properties to rent out! Leaving our children still unable to get on property ladder!!
As someone who moved to the area about three years ago from Lancashire the difference in price is just ridiculous. We bought a three bed house with a front and back garden for £127k. It was near the beach and close to lush countryside.
Now, we’re renting. Many people say rental money is dead money.
I wrote to Mr Hollinbery about this last year, suggesting I might have to sell organs on the black market to afford a deposit. Of course, I wasn’t serious, but I think he understood how much out of reach these developments are. We’d be happy buying an older house, but even those prices are going up. When home owners see a 3 bed new build with small rooms cost £300k, they understandably believe their 3 bed old house with larger rooms is worth more than they originally thought.
Easy solution to all of this is that when developers seek planning, then a price per property should be set for a percentage portion at an “Affordable” price ie under £200k. The council should make this a rule on every sizeable development of say 20-30 upwards. The £200k house should be a min of two beds with off road parking and a garden just the same as the “Social Housing” that they have to provide. All social houses will come with turfed garden parking etc.