Richmondshire boosts affordable housing

RICHMONDSHIRE District Council has taken steps to provide more affordable housing in one Yorkshire Dales town.

At a meeting of the Resources Committee on Tuesday (9 October 2007), Councillors agreed to give land at Maythorne in Leyburn to Broadacres Housing Association, at nil cost, for the purpose of local needs, affordable housing.

"The Committee was unanimous in its support of this proposal as there is a significant need for additional affordable housing in Leyburn," said Chairman of the Resources Committee, and Leader of Richmondshire District Council, Cllr Melva Steckles. "Whilst this site will not fully meet that need, it is a step in the right direction. We would like to encourage other landowners to come forward with potential sites too."

The site of former garages had been previously identified as suitable for housing, but at the time was considered too small to be financially viable. The Resources Committee agreed to add an adjacent, disused plot which the Council owns, making the whole site large enough for up to 5 units of housing.

The Council has a history of gifting land at nil cost for affordable housing purposes. Other garage sites have been gifted in Richmond, Brompton on Swale, Middleham and Colburn.