Housing needs of the future under spotlight

Information is being gathered on the types of housing needed in Alnwick.

The Alnwick and Denwick Housing Needs Survey is being undertaken by consultants ARC4 on behalf of Alnwick Town Council and Northumberland County Council; the two authorities are jointly funding the work.

It was identified as necessary in the emerging Alnwick & Denwick Neighbourhood Plan.

Paper questionnaires and prepaid return envelopes are being sent to every household in the parishes of Alnwick and Denwick and began to drop onto doormats on Monday.

The information received is vital as it will be used to identify the different tenures (eg, tenancy or owner-occupancy), sizes and types of housing residents will need over the next five to 10 years. In particular, the survey is looking to determine how much ‘affordable’ housing is needed.

Mayor of Alnwick, Alan Symmonds, said: “This is a real opportunity for local residents to tell us what housing they need now and in the future, so I urge everyone not to ignore this questionnaire but to fill it in and return it in the freepost envelope as soon as they can.”

Residents will be able to complete their questionnaires online if they prefer. A free telephone hotline will be available for all residents to get help in filling in their form if needed.

For further information or if you have not received your questionnaire by Monday, May 30, contact ARC4 free on 0800 612 9133 or the town council on 01665 602574.

Each returned questionnaire will be entered into a prize draw to win cash prizes of £250, £100 or £50. Questionnaires need to be returned to ARC4 by Friday, June 17.