Local Needs Housing

The Mersham Housing Needs Survey undertaken in November 2024 identified the
following local need for housing:

A need for 25 affordable homes for the following local households was identified:
 8 x single people
 12 x couples without children
 5 x families
 7 of the 25 households were older people
 20 of the households currently live in Mersham and 5 live outside but have
local connections

In addition to the above, there was a requirement for 5 open market properties for
the following older homeowners seeking to move to more suitable housing for their
needs:
 1 x single person
 4 x couples
 4 of the households live in Mersham and 1 lives outside but has a local
connection.

The survey clearly evidences that some of our community need an affordable home
that will enable them to remain in the village. English Rural Housing Association will
now start work towards bringing a small development forward, similar to the one at
Quarry View. This includes negotiations with the landowner, site surveys and
indicative layouts. The Parish Council will be consulted and kept informed of
progress. If all goes well and this work is successful, a village consultation event will
be held (before applying for planning permission), so that all residents can see the
plans for the new homes and make comments and suggestions. Residents will also
be able to make comments on any planning application in the usual way via Ashford
Borough Council’s planning portal.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Parish Council or RACE (Rural and
Community Housing Enabling) at [email protected]