Bunny

Bunny Housing Needs Survey 2008

Midlands Rural Housing in partnership with Rushcliffe Borough Council and Bunny Parish Council May 2008.

Contents

• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Purpose of the Survey
• 3. Housing Costs
• 4. Availability of Affordable Housing
• 5. Planning Context
• 6. Respondents' Details
  
  • 6.1 Age Profile
  • 6.2 Household Size and Mix
  • 6.3 Tenure of all Respondents
  • 6.4 Property Type
  • 6.5 Ethnicity
  • 6.6 Migration
• 7. Sustainability Issues
• 8. Local Support for a Small Housing Development
• 9. Housing Needs Analysis
  
  • 9.1 Local
  • 9.2 Residency
  • 9.3 Housing Tenure
  • 9.4 Respondents in Need Details
• 10. Conclusions and Recommendations
• Appendix A: Comments Regarding Facilities
• Appendix B: Comments Regarding a Small-scale Development

 

Executive Summary

Midlands Rural Housing completed a Housing Needs Survey in Bunny during February 2008, to assess the housing need in the parish. As well as requesting specific housing information, the survey asks some general questions relating to the quality of life in the parish.

Midlands Rural Housing works with local authorities and other partners to increase the availability of affordable homes for local people. Affordable housing may be provided through both rental and shared ownership schemes and is for people with a strong connection to the parish.

Bunny is an affluent community, with a high proportion of owner-occupied, family housing. House prices are higher than average and there is little affordable accommodation available for either rent or purchase.

The population is young and includes a high proportion of families with children under 16. The high cost of housing, combined with a lack of facilities and poor public transport connections, will adversely affect the future generation’s ability to remain in Bunny and may have an effect on the future sustainability of the parish.

Seven respondents have a need for affordable housing, mainly young people seeking an independent, affordable lifestyle. Several are interested in shared ownership as a way of entering the housing market.

The resulting breakdown is:

• 3 x 2-bed houses for shared ownership
• 3 x 2-bed houses for rent
• 1 x 3-bed house-for shared ownership

Our recommendation is that a mixed development of seven affordable dwellings should be considered.
 

1. Introduction

Midlands Rural Housing works with local authorities and other partners to increase the availability of affordable homes for local people in rural areas. In 2005 MRH established the Trent Valley Partnership to work closely with authorities in the East Midlands region.

Rushcliffe Borough Council has identified the Trent Valley Partnership as their preferred partner, for the purpose of undertaking Housing Needs Studies in rural villages and identifying opportunities for the development of affordable housing within the district. Trent Valley Partnership is now undertaking the fourth year of a programme of studies on behalf of Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Bunny currently has a population of 613 (2001 Census), in 227 households. 267 survey forms were produced for distribution to residents throughout the parish.

During January 2008, Midlands Rural Housing and Bunny Parish Council worked together to deliver a Housing Needs Survey form to every household in the village. The return date for the survey was 28 February 2008 and returns were made via a ‘Freepost’ envelope directly to Midlands Rural Housing.

2. Purpose of the Survey

The aim of the survey was to assess the current and future housing needs in the parish of Bunny, in order to provide Rushcliffe Borough Council with the information it requires to formulate plans and anticipate future housing requirements.

3. Housing Costs

Property Values: October - December 2007 (Rushcliffe)

Property Values October - December 2007

Area	Average Detached	Average Semi-detached	Average Terraced	Average Flat	Average Overall Price	Average Number of Sales
East Midlands	£252,943	£147,882	£124,837	£122,624	£171,559	21,880
Nottinghamshire	£234,447	£137,085	£111,879	£115,552	£159,451	3,797
Rushcliffe	£285,793	£198,601	£157,860	£129,614	£220,291	494

Source: Land registry

The table above provides an indication of the property prices within the East Midlands Region, the county of Nottinghamshire and Rushcliffe Borough. It shows that, across the board, prices in Rushcliffe are considerably higher than elsewhere in the region. A family wanting to purchase an average terrace house would need to be earning approximately £40,000 per annum to secure a mortgage.

Data from the Land Registry shows the following average house prices in Bunny (Postcode NG11 6Q*), based on sales between July 2006 – December 2007.

• Detached - £351,743 (Based on 8 sales)
• Semi-Detached – £216,331 (Based on 11 sales)
• Terraced - £143,000 (Based on 1 sale)
• Overall - £266,829 (Based on 20 sales)

As can be seen from a comparison with the previous table, house prices in Bunny are higher than in Rushcliffe as a whole and would be prohibitively expensive for people on low incomes.

4. Availability of Affordable Housing

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Housing Strategy 2004-2007 (Nov. 2005), Sections A4 and A5, outlines the need for more affordable housing within the borough.

It shows that not only are open market values prohibitively high, but also that the levels of social rented properties available from Registered Social Landlords are well below the national averages for England and Wales.

Section A8.1 of the Housing Strategy goes on to show that in the 10 year period from 1995-2005, the number of affordable rented properties in the borough has reduced by 649 due to the Right to Buy scheme and 224 shared ownership properties have been lost through ‘stair casing’ up to full ownership.

5. Planning Context

Planning policy at national, regional and local levels imposes strict restraints on new housing development in rural areas. However in exceptional circumstances, consideration for affordable housing in rural areas, where the Council is satisfied that local need exists, may be permitted.

Section A8: Affordable Housing Development, in Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Housing Strategy 2004-2007 (Nov. 2005), outlines the means by which local communities can engage with the planning process to bring about developments that meet their ‘local’ housing needs.

Section A8 encourages communities to explore their housing needs, ideally as part of a parish plan or equivalent. It is anticipated that, in due course, this Housing Needs Survey will form an integral part of a Parish Plan for Bunny that will be adopted by the Borough Council.

The provision of any housing that may be provided as a result of this survey would be subject to a planning condition (known as an S106 agreement) being placed on the development. This has the effect of limiting occupation of the properties to people with a strong local connection who have exceptional personal reasons for residing there, or are required to work in the locality and are in housing need.

6. Respondents' Details

The following sections of this report detail the responses from the questionnaires distributed and returned during February 2008, in Bunny parish.

Respondents' individual details have been kept confidential and any identifiable attributes have not been included in the results. Any comments that have been made may also have been edited so as not to identify individual circumstances.

The following results are a snapshot in time and provide the village and Rushcliffe Borough Council with an insight into the parish in terms of current housing need, the desirability of the village as a place to live, and the current level of facilities serving the local community.

A total of 92 survey forms were received giving a return rate of 34%. This is considered a good response, taking into consideration that only people who have a housing need, or those who are interested in commenting on local matters, are likely to respond.

6.1 Age Profile

The age profile of the 231 people captured on the 92 survey forms returned is shown below. The responses show that the largest single group of the population in Bunny, representing 34%, are people between 26-49 years of age.

There are a substantial number of families with young children. Children under 16 form 23% of the population. This shows that a young generation is up and coming and their ability to remain in Bunny in the long-term will almost certainly depend on the availability of affordable housing within the parish.

Age profile / number of people

• 0-16 - 52
• 17-19 - 5
• 20-25 - 5
• 26-49 - 78
• 50-59 - 50
• 60+ - 41

6.2 Household Size and Mix

The number of households in each size/mix category is shown below. Total households containing families with children accounted for 31%; followed by those households containing only adults accounting for 36% of respondents. Pensioners accounted for 33% of total households.

Household size and mix / number of respondents

• Single pensioner - 6
• 2 pensioners - 12
• Single adult - 6
• 2 adults - 22
• 3+ adults - 2
• 1 adult and 1 pensioner - 6
• 2+ adults and 1 pensioner - 3
• Families with 1-2 children - 24
• Families with 3+ children - 3
• 1-2 child families with a pensioner - 2
• Single parent - 4
• Not given or spoilt - 1

6.3 Tenure of all Respondents

The current household tenure of all respondents is shown below. Owner-occupiers make up over 95% of households, with 50% having no mortgage. Privately rented accommodation makes up less than 3% of total households, with none being social rented housing. This low level of private and social rented accommodation bears out the findings in the Borough Council’s Housing Strategy, outlined under section 4 of this report.

Tenure of respondents / number of households

• Private renting - 2
• Living with parents - 2
• Owner occupied - no mortgage - 44
• Owner occupied with mortgage - 43

6.4 Property Type

The types of property that respondents currently live in is shown below. The largest group were occupants of 3 bedroom houses at 43%, followed by occupants of 4 bedroom houses at 25% and occupants of 5 bedroom houses at 13%. The number of small properties with 1 or 2 bedrooms amounted to less than 7% of total respondents.

Type of dwelling/ number of households

• 2 bed house - 4
• 3 bed house - 39
• 4 bed house - 23
• 5 bed house - 12
• 2 bed bungalow - 2
• 3 bed bungalow - 9
• 4 bed bungalow - 2

6.5 Ethnicity

Respondents’ results showed that the demographic is almost entirely White British. This supports the recent Countryside Agency report which found that rural  settlements had lower levels of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents than that of urban cores and that there were only 136,000 BME residents in rural areas throughout the country.

6.6 Migration

The number of local people who have been forced to move out of the village in order to secure suitable housing is shown below. 15% of respondents were aware of somebody who needed to move out to find affordable or suitable accommodation.

Respondent aware of resident moving to find suitable accommodation

• Yes - 15%
• No - 83%
• Not given - 2%

7. Sustainability Issues

Respondents were asked a series of questions relating to the perceived advantages and disadvantages of living in Bunny. The purpose of these questions is to build-up a picture of life in the parish and to identify any issues that could form a threat to the long-term sustainability of the village. The following information details respondents’ answers, from which we can gain an indication whether any affordable housing provided in the village will be sustainable in the future, ie will people want to live there in
the future?

Desirable aspects of living in the village / number of respondents

• Good reputation
  • Yes - 80
  • No - 0
  • Don't know - 7
  • Not given - 4
• Nice place to live
  • Yes - 79
  • No - 0
  • Don't know - 1
  • Not given - 1
• Balanced and varied population
  • Yes - 58
  • No - 12
  • Don't know - 13
  • Not given - 5
• Friendly spirit
  • Yes - 75
  • No - 6
  • Don't know  - 7
  • Not given - 3

From this information it can be seen that the vast majority of residents consider that Bunny has a good reputation, is a nice place to live, with a balanced and varied population and friendly community spirit.

Negative aspects of living in the parish / number of respondents

• Crime
  • Yes - 16
  • No - 63
  • Don't know  - 8
  • Not given - 8
• Anti-social behaviour
  • Yes - 1
  • No - 75
  • Don't know  - 8
  • Not given - 9
• Lack of adequate housing
  • Yes - 22
  • No - 41
  • Don't know  - 25
  • Not given - 4
• Lack of facilities
  • Yes - 75
  • No - 14
  • Don't know  - 1
  • Not given - 2

The information above shows that a small number of respondents consider there is some crime in the village. Some respondents also believe there is a lack of adequate housing available. However, a significant majority of respondents are concerned about the lack of facilities in the parish.

8. Local Support for a Small Housing Development

The information below shows the level of support for a small development of affordable homes for local people, being built in the parish. This shows there is a fairly low level of support within the community, with 49% being in favour and 32% of respondents being against such a scheme. Significantly, 16% were unsure.

• Yes - 49%
• No - 32%
• Don't know - 16%
• Not given - 3%

9. Housing Needs Analysis

Of the 92 returns, 85 were from people who would be considered as adequately housed and would not be looking to move to alternative accommodation within the next 5 years. These respondents completed a survey form primarily to offer their support or objection towards a ‘local needs’ housing development, as well as to give their comments regarding the sustainability of Bunny and comment on its facilities. These were therefore discounted from the rest of the analysis.

Accordingly, as far as the requirement for affordable housing is concerned, there are 7 returns detailing a housing need.

9.1 Local

The information below shows the type of local connection held by the 7 respondents with a specific housing need.

Local connection / number of respondents

• Live in Bunny - 3
• Live in Bunny and have relatives - 1
• Live and work in Bunny and have relatives - 1
• Previously lived in Bunny and have relatives - 2

9.2 Residency

The information below gives the number of years that these respondents have lived in Bunny. Only 1 respondent has less than 5 years residency. Two respondents with over 20 years residency have recently left the parish and would like to return.

Number of years resident

• 1-5 years - 14%
• 21-25 years - 28%
• 26-30 years - 29%
• 30+ years - 29%

9.3 Housing Tenure

The information below shows the housing circumstances of respondents with a need for affordable housing.

• Private renting - 3
• Living with parents - 4

9.4 Respondents in Need Details

The following tables list the respondents who have expressed a housing need, what type of housing they would prefer, and our assessment of their need.

Single

Housing Needs - Single

Respondent	Accommodation Required	Reality Tenure
Living with parent in 3 bed rented property, needs independent, smaller, cheaper accommodation within 2 years. Residency 47 years, works and family in the parish.	2 bed house or bungalow Rented	2 bed house Rented
Living with parents in 5 bed house, needs smaller, secure, independent accommodation immediately. Residency 54 years and family in the parish. On Local Authority (LA) & Housing Association (HA) registers.	2 bed flat Rented	2 bed house Rented
Living with parents in 3 bed property, needs independent accommodation, close to employment, within 2 years. Residency 28 years and family in the parish.	2-3 bed house Shared ownership	2 bed house Shared ownership
Living in privately rented property out of parish, needs cheaper, secure accommodation within 2 years. Previous residency 24 years and family in parish. On LA register.	2-3 bed house Shared ownership	2 bed house Shared ownership
Living in privately rented property out of parish, requires cheaper home within 2 years. Previous residency 21 years and family in the parish.	2 bed house Shared ownership	2 bed house Shared ownership

 

Families

Housing Needs - Families

Respondent	Accommodation Required	Reality Tenure
Family of 2, living in 3 bed privately rented property, needs cheaper accommodation, close to employment, immediately. Residency 1 year.	3 bed house Shared ownership or rented	2 bed house Rented
Family of 4 living with parents in 5 bed house, require independent, larger accommodation within 2- 5 years. Residency 30 years and family in parish.	4 bed house Shared ownership	3 bed house Shared ownership

 

Therefore the housing needs derived directly from the survey are:

• Shared ownership: 3 x 2-bed houses
• Rent: 3 x 2-bed houses
• Shared ownership: 1 x 3-bed house

10. Conclusions and Recommendations

Midlands Rural Housing, in partnership with Bunny Parish Council, has conducted a detailed study of the housing needs of the parish. This study has not only investigated the actual housing needs, but has also ascertained residents’ views with regard to living in the village, and has identified the level of local support for a development to meet local needs.

Bunny is an affluent village which is regarded as a pleasant and popular place to live. Several respondents are concerned that Bunny’s rural environment should be preserved and the village should not become overdeveloped. However, there are also concerns that the parish has few amenities and that public transport connections are poor, which in the long term may have a detrimental effect on the village’s sustainability. The parish does, however, benefit from a close proximity to East Leake and
Keyworth where there are a number of amenities, including shops, Doctor’s and Dentist Surgeries, a Post Office and comprehensive schools.

The population consists predominantly of families and young people and there are a high proportion of children under 16. Housing stock is almost entirely owner-occupied, medium to large family accommodation. House prices are higher than average and there is almost no affordable property available for purchase or rent. This may affect the sustainability of the village as the up and coming generation will be unable to remain in the parish. 15% of respondents were aware of someone who has had to leave to find suitable housing and 49% were in favour of developing an affordable housing scheme in Bunny. Of the seven respondents claiming a need, none are elderly, several are seeking to gain independence and four are seeking to gain a first step on the housing ladder by opting for shared ownership.

Our recommendation is that a mixed development of seven affordable dwellings should be considered. This development will alleviate the current housing needs in  Bunny, whilst remaining available to the parish in perpetuity, to allow for future requirements which may arise.

11. Acknowledgements

Midlands Rural Housing would like to thank Mr. P. Le Sueur, Chairman of Bunny Parish Council and Mr. M. Elliott, Clerk to Bunny Parish Council, for their time and help in carrying out this Housing Needs Survey.

12. Contact Details

Miles King
Trent Valley Partnership Project Officer
Midlands Rural Housing
1st Floor, 10 Cromford Mill
Mill Lane
Cromford
Derbyshire
DE4 3RQ
Tel: 01629 826040
Email: miles.king@midlandsrh.org.uk

Appendix A: Comments Regarding Facilities

The following is a list of general improvements to the quality of life in the parish, requested by several respondents to the Housing Needs Survey:

• More regular buses to Keyworth; more regular buses to Ruddington; more frequent & regular buses; more frequent bus service; better bus services between Bunny, Ruddington and East Leake; an evening bus service; bus service to QMC; better bus services to Ruddington & Keyworth and an evening service;
• A bigger food shop; more shops; a community shop; village shop/post office; general store; a fresh food shop and post office;
• Post Office; re-open the post office; reinstate the post office;
• A shop, post office and more buses;
• Public transport is poor; better public transport;
• Lack of amenities is part of Bunny’s attraction;
• The village is attractive due to the balance between population and amenities;
• Improved pavements and road safety; bus shelters;
• To live in Bunny, you need to be able to drive;
• The village has lost its identity, the school has isolated itself from the community;
• There are no facilities in Bunny and no connecting services to villages with amenities such as Doctor, Dentist, Supermarket, Chemist.

Appendix B: Comments Regarding a Small-scale Development

The following comments were received from respondents and give a general indication of their concerns for and against an affordable housing scheme. A random selection of comments has been reproduced.

• There is not enough affordable housing for young adults; Youngsters find it difficult to stay in Bunny as no affordable houses available; there is no suitable affordable housing for young or elderly;
• Insufficient housing for 1st time buyers; priority should be given to 1st time buyers homes;
• A housing scheme is not necessary, the village has already been overdeveloped in the last 10 years; the village is small and should be kept that way;
• We are in favour of affordable housing but are not convinced that it should be restricted to local people;
• The village is desirable because of its rural location which should be preserved; Bunny is nice as it is and the environment should not be changed by housing schemes;
• The village is starting to suffer from over-development and too much infill; traffic density is increasing;
• Traffic congestion on the A60 is getting worse and there are plenty of nearby villages with affordable housing; Bunny is desirable as it is, nearby villages offer cheaper housing;
• There has been too much development of larger houses;
• I am not aware of a local demand to stay in Bunny.