Housing Needs Survey suggests a positive vibe in Shipston

An independent housing needs survey, commissioned by Shipston’s Neighbourhood Plan Housing Topic Group, suggests that overall, attitudes to living in Shipston have improved since the survey was last undertaken in 2005.  

The survey, which was primarily designed to identify outstanding needs for affordable and social housing as part of the group’s evidence gathering process, also asked residents to rank how they feel about living in the town, including issues such as crime and access to facilities.  

Significantly fewer people believe Shipston has a lack of housing now than in 2005, with just 17 percent of respondents citing this as an issue compared with 35 percent previously. However, the associated drop in need for affordable and social housing has been much lower – at just three percent – suggesting there is still a need for more of this type of housing locally. Despite this, only four percent of respondents said that someone in their household had to leave town due to a lack of affordable or suitable housing.

Ninety-five percent of respondents felt Shipston is a nice place to live, compared with 83 percent eight years ago, and only seven percent now feel the town suffers from crime, versus a third of respondents in 2005.

Town Councillor and Neighbourhood Plan representative, Ian Cooper, said: “It’s wonderful to see such a positive response to living in Shipston. The reduced demand for housing in general is perhaps not surprising given the amount of development we have seen since 2005, but clearly we still need to be looking at providing more affordable and social housing to meet existing needs.”

The results of the Housing Needs survey, which was supported by the town council, will be considered as part of the development of the Neighbourhood Plan, which will look at the amount and type of housing Shipston could accommodate. 

The survey was carried out by Warwickshire Rural Community Council. Over 2,500 surveys were sent out and 749 returned, representing a response rate of 30%.