< Previous | Next >

4. DEVELOPMENT VISION

4.1. Housing Development Vision

4.1.1. The WNDP will encourage a range of dwelling types and tenure to meet local demand for smaller houses. These dwelling types stimulate rotation of ownership in the village enabling older residents to downsize and releasing family housing back onto the market. First-time buyer, rented, and co-ownership will be a priority for any new development. The village survey also identified retirement living as a requirement.

4.1.2. The 2011 Census shows the breakdown of households within the ward:

Accommodation Type - Households	Westcott Ward
Unshared Dwelling; Whole House or Bungalow; Detached	339
Unshared Dwelling; Whole House or Bungalow; Semi-Detached	309
Unshared Dwelling; Whole House or Bungalow; Terraced (Including End-Terrace)	126
Unshared Dwelling; Whole House or Bungalow; Total	774
Unshared Dwelling; Flat, Maisonette or Apartment; Purpose-Built Block of Flats or Tenement	107
Unshared Dwelling; Flat, Maisonette or Apartment; Part of a Converted or Shared House (Including Bed-Sits)	29
Unshared Dwelling; Flat, Maisonette or Apartment; In Commercial Building	7
Unshared Dwelling; Flat, Maisonette or Apartment; Total	143
Unshared Dwelling; Caravan or Other Mobile or Temporary Structure	1
Unshared Dwelling; Total	918
Shared Dwelling	0
All Households	918

4.1.3. The survey of residents achieved a 74% response rate across the range of housing mix:

Occupied Dwellings	Owner occupied	Rented	Total
Flats	44	32	76
Affordable	3	7	10
Bungalow	32	10	42
1-2 bed house	95	18	113
3-4 bed house	311	42	353
5+ bed	82	6	88
Grand Total	567	115	682

4.1.4. The survey was broadly proportionate to the 2011 Census when measured by housing mix:

4.2. Non-Housing Development Vision

4.2.1. Greater access to the Green Belt land will be supported for leisure and recreational purposes, enhancing use of the surrounding open countryside and woodlands. This may include providing better access to cycle paths, bridleways and linking footpaths.

4.2.2. Recognising both resident demand and the need driven by visitors to the Ward, parking will need to be a feature of any future development. The proportion of car or van availability has risen marginally between the 2001 and 2011 Census periods:

Car or Van Availability	Census 2001	Census 2011
Cars: All categories: Car or van availability; measures: Value	884	918
Cars: No cars or vans in household; measures: Value	101	90
Cars: 1 car or van in household; measures: Value	314	345
Cars: 2 cars or vans in household; measures: Value	356	359
Cars: 3 cars or vans in household; measures: Value	76	96
Cars: 4 or more cars or vans in household; measures: Value	37	28
Cars: sum of all cars or vans in the area; measures: Value	1,428	1,484
Average of all cars or vans per household	1.615	1.617

4.2.3. Whilst the inherent conflict exists with a greener environment, the development plan acknowledges the inevitability of vehicle ownership growth but seeks to minimise the impact by creating facilities which blend with and are sympathetic to the rural environment. Demonstrated by the presence of a specialist cycling retail premises and three commercial stables, together with a number of private sand schools, the area is a magnet for people riding, cycling and walking and the WNDP will find ways to ensure that these activities co-exist with the needs of residents.

4.2.4. Westcott's diverse and thriving social and community activities will be accommodated in modern, accessible facilities with flexible space catering for the varied social, sporting and welfare needs of the community and beyond, and incorporate health, education and other community facilities.

4.2.5. Retail facilities will be encouraged to provide choice, and where possible office development will provide the opportunity for local employment reducing the demand for commuting in an already congested part of the country.

---

< Previous | ^ Top | Next >