Housing

• What is the small change Big Difference campaign?
• Which charities are supporting the campaign?
• How can I help?

What is the small change Big Difference campaign? 

We want to help end homelessness for good. Together with charities, housing providers, and different organisations we are working hard to do just that.

We know you want to play your part too and we are often asked by people what they can do to help.

Wychavon works in partnership with many organisations to help prevent people from sleeping rough in the first place, and to make the long-term changes needed to get them off the streets for good if they do find themselves in that situation.

The small change Big Difference campaign aims to highlight this work and encourage people to donate to projects already working to improve the lives of those on the streets or at risk of ending up there. It is a safe and secure way for you to help fund practical support to people sleeping rough in our district. If  everyone gives whatever they can afford in a way that will make the biggest impact, then that small change can add up to a really big difference.

We also want to encourage people to tell us where they see rough sleepers using the Street Link service, so our outreach team can find those people and begin supporting them.

Charities supporting the campaign

There are lots of charities working to support those who are homeless, including rough sleepers. On this page we have listed three local projects we are working with and how they will spend whatever money you donate to benefit local people in need.

Any money you give will go directly to the charities to help fund their work. Wychavon will not receive a penny of your donation. A small percentage – usually less than 1p but it will vary depending on the donation platform used – will be taken by the various donation platform providers. So almost 100% of what you give will go straight to projects working to help those who are homeless.

If you are charity in the Wychavon area working to support people sleeping rough and would like to be involved in the campaign then please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Local projects working to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping

Below you will find information on the four charities currently supporting the campaign, the work they do in our area to support people sleeping rough and links to donate directly to support their work.

St Basils Youth Homeless Project in Evesham

Together with youth homelessness charity St Basils, we have bought a property in Evesham that will provide accommodation for young people at risk of sleeping rough. Together we identify those who are at risk and refer them to the project which provides them with a roof over their head, as well as a range of support. This includes basic budgeting and life skills as well as help with other issues someone may have.

Young people stay with the project for 6 to 18 months before they can move on with the skills they need to live independently in private accommodation.

Watch our video below to find out more about the St Basils Youth Homeless Project in Evesham.

pdf  Download a transcript of the St Basils Evesham Young Homeless Project video. (124 KB)

DONATE TO THE ST BASILS EVESHAM YOUTH HOMELESS PROJECT

Maggs Day Centre

Maggs runs day centres in Worcester and Malvern. People sleeping rough on the streets of Wychavon are often referred to one of these day centre for help.

They provide homeless people somewhere warm and dry to go as well as access to the basics we all take for granted – a safe place to be, toilets, showers, a hot drink and someone to talk to. They also provide hot meals, clothing and mentoring and support for those ready to make changes to get off the streets and back into mainstream community life.

Read about how Maggs Day Centre helped turn one rough sleeper’s life around.

Donate to Maggs Day Centre

Caring Hands in the Vale

Caring Hands in the Vale was founded in 2003 as part of Evesham Christian Centre and became an independent charity in 2016.

It supports people who are homeless, and at risk of homelessness, by offering food parcels, toiletry packs, bedding, clothing and blankets for free, depending on their circumstances. For those who are on the streets, they also have sleeping bags and backpacks available.

They also offer hot meals twice a week at the Caring Hands Diner. They are also developing a new project – The Lighthouse – which will become a drop-in centre. As well as offering everything they already do, this will allow them to provide advice and support sessions including access to IT facilities, a health hub, shower, laundry, lockers for the homeless, haircuts, and provide a ‘care of address’.

Find out more about The Lighthouse and the work of Caring Hands in the Vale.

Donate to Caring Hands in the Vale - The Lighthouse Project

Caring for Communities & People (CCP)

Caring for Communities and People (CCP) is a charity that exists to prevent the causes and reduce the effects of homelessness, family breakdown, and exclusion. 

They run the Worcestershire Homelessness Prevention Service (HoPES) on behalf of councils, including Wychavon. The service is for single people and childless couples across Worcestershire who are at risk of homelessness. They advice and support for tenancy issues, housing rights and homelessness, budgeting and benefit take-up, housing-related debt, training and employment, as well as health and wellbeing support and social and community inclusion.

Find out more about the work of Caring for Communities and People (CCP).

DONATE TO CARING FOR COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE

How can I help?

You can help those sleeping rough by doing one or all of the following things:

• Donate to the charities involved in the Small change Big difference campaign.
• Use Street Link to tell us if you see someone sleeping rough. Our outreach team will go out and find the person and begin a conversation with them. By building trust and a relationship with someone we hope they will eventually accept our offer of help to get them off the streets for good.
• Volunteer your time with one of the charities involved in the campaign. You can contact them directly to find out what opportunities there may be.

Approved date - 26 January 2021

Use the links below to find the information you need:

• Purpose
• Qualifying persons
• Local connection criteria
• Statutory allocations scheme
• Malvern Hills Parish map for the purpose of local connection cascade
• Wychavon map for the purpose of local connection cascade
• Timescales for applying the Local Connection cascade 

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that an applicants’ local connection to a parish/grouped parish or adjoining parishes/adjoining grouped parishes within the district is taken into account before allocating rented or intermediate affordable housing in rural parishes.

The policy ensures that applicants with a local connection to the parish/grouped parish and adjoining parishes/adjoining grouped parishes will receive priority when an affordable home is being let or sold there. This will apply on first and all subsequent lettings or sales.

An exception to this is where there is evidence that new shared ownership properties, and also shared ownership properties with existing planning permission, are funded by Homes England grant on a non-rural exception site. These properties will be exempt from local connection criteria in accordance with the Homes England Capital Funding Guide.

The allocation of affordable housing is controlled through a s106 legal agreement.

When affordable housing in a rural area (i.e. not in any of the towns, except Upton upon Severn and Tenbury Wells) is let or sold, first priority will be given to those applicants who can demonstrate a connection to the parish/grouped parish within which the new build affordable housing is located.

If no applicants with a local connection to the parish/grouped parishes apply then priority will be given to those who have a local connection to adjoining parishes/adjoining grouped parishes within the relevant district council area (as shown in maps in Appendices 1 and 2).

Applicants with a priority due to having a local connection to the parish or adjoining parishes will be considered for an allocation through the allocations policy based on their circumstances and housing need.

Grant funded shared ownership properties will be allocated and sold in accordance with the Homes England Capital Funding Guide requirements.

This Rural Lettings Policy will apply to all s106 agreements made after the date when the policy was approved. S106 agreements prior to this date will not be amended and re-lets of existing stock will not be subject to this policy unless it is a requirement of the existing s106 agreement for the site.

This Rural Lettings Policy applies to the following affordable housing tenures:

• Social rent
• Affordable rent
• Shared ownership
• Fixed equity (also known as Discount Market Sales)
• Entry level homes for first time buyers and renters
• Any other intermediate affordable housing products

In the case of shared ownership, the policy ceases to apply in the event a tenant/occupier purchases 100% of the freehold to their property. For most shared ownership properties there will be a limit on staircasing in rural areas.

Urban extensions will not be covered by this policy. Other large sites of over 100 dwellings may also not be covered based on housing needs evidence at the time.

This is to be at the discretion of the Director of Housing and Communities in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder.

Qualifying persons

A qualifying person will:

• be registered on “Housing for You”, the council’s statutory housing register (rented only). Anyone seeking intermediate affordable housing (such as shared ownership or fixed equity) will not be required to register on “Housing for You”. They will only need to complete the relevant applications to the properties they are seeking to buy.
• be in need of affordable housing
• have demonstrated a connection with the parish/grouped parish in accordance with the local connection criteria below (except in the case of grant funded shared ownership properties as these properties will be exempt from local connection criteria in accordance with the Homes England Capital Funding Guide)

Local connection criteria

In order to have local connection applicants will demonstrate one of the following local connection criteria:

• Lived in the parish by choice for 6 out of the last 12 months or 3 out of the last 5 years,
• Have close family (mother, father, sibling, adult son or adult daughter) living in the parish by choice for at least the previous five years
• Be in permanent paid employment in the parish
• A local connection to the parish as a result of special circumstances (subject to approval by the Housing Services Manager).

To the extent that no applications are received from a qualifying person who has a local connection to the parish/grouped parish or the adjoining parishes/adjoining grouped parishes, then any applicant with a connection to the relevant district will be considered.

To the extent that no applications are received from a qualifying person who has a local connection to the relevant district then applicants’ resident in the UK will be considered. (See Appendix 3 for timescales relating to this cascade mechanism).

Please note, sometimes there may be a need to add further layers to the cascade, for example where a neighbouring district is in close proximity to the parish and should be given priority following the relevant district council. If this is necessary it would be agreed by a senior member of the planning team.

Statutory allocations scheme

The allocation and letting of affordable housing in the district is in accordance with the council’s statutory allocations scheme “Housing for You” which has been approved by councillors.

Read Wychavon’s statutory allocations scheme [INSERT LINK].

The statutory scheme is designed to assess housing needs in accordance with the ‘reasonable preference’ criteria set out in section 167 (2) of the Housing Act 1996.

Malvern Hills Parish map for the purpose of local connection cascade

Below is the Malvern Hills Parish map for the purpose of local connection cascade.

Wychavon map for the purpose of local connection cascade

Below is the Wychavon map for the purpose of local connection cascade.

Timescales for applying the Local Connection cascade

Appendix 3 sets out the councils’ expected timescales for moving from one part of the cascade to the next. This will guide council and registered provider officers in terms of operational practice and ensure effective monitoring as follows:

• For initial lets of rented properties, advertising can commence and pre-offers can be made to those with a local connection to the parish/grouped parish prior to handover to the registered provider. In the event that there are not enough applications from residents with a local connection to the parish/grouped parish, then the cascade can not start until handover to the registered provider. This is because it can be a significant amount of time between new properties being marketed and handover and every opportunity to meet the needs of parish/grouped parish residents must be taken.
• For re-lets of rented properties, the property can be advertised via the statutory allocations scheme “Housing for You” when notice to terminate the tenancy is received from the existing tenant.
• For initial sale of intermediate home ownership products, advertising to seek expressions of interest and exchange of contracts can commence prior to handover with applicants who have a local connection to the parish/grouped parish.

In the event that there are not enough applications from residents with a local connection to the parish/grouped parish, then the cascade cannot start until handover to the Registered Provider.

This is because it can be a significant amount of time between new properties being marketed and handover and every opportunity to meet the needs of parish/grouped parish residents must be taken.

The property should be advertised via the statutory allocations scheme “Housing for You” as part of any wider package of promotion as follows:

• For re-sales of intermediate home ownership products, advertising can commence at the point the value has been agreed between the relevant parties, e.g. the council must agree fixed equity valuations. The cascade will start when the property has been advertised. Properties should be advertised via the statutory allocations scheme “Housing for You” as part of any wider package of promotion.
• Properties are to be advertised for a period of 8 weeks after handover, to enable a minimum 2 or 3 bid opportunities for applicants. The adverts can extend to cover the relevant district for the full 8 week period.

During this period, priority will be given to applicants based on the local connection cascade, as follows:

1. Local connection to the parish/ grouped parish that the site falls within
2. Local connection to adjoining parish/adjoining grouped parishes
3. Local connection to the relevant district

It is not expected that registered providers would allocate to those with a local connection to one of the adjoining parishes until week 3 and 4 of advertising. Even then, registered providers are expected to prioritise any applicants who bid, as set out above.

It is not expected that registered providers would allocate to those with a local connection to the district until weeks 5 -8 of advertising. Even then, registered providers are expected to prioritise any applicants who bid, as set out above.

After 8 weeks of advertising, the property may be allocated to an applicant registered on the statutory allocations scheme (where required) who has a need for affordable housing and is resident in the UK.

This policy has been revised and agreed on 26 January 2021.

Analysis of Survey Results

September 2021

Wychavon District Council has undertaken a housing needs survey of the Parish of Dodderhill.  

1142 paper surveys were sent to households within the Parish of Dodderhill. Included was a prepaid envelope, to enable residents to complete and return the survey free of charge. It also provided an option to call and speak to a member of the Housing Services Team or complete online through a web link.

We also promoted the survey through the Wychavon Facebook page run through the Communications Team at the council.

The post stated: We are conducting a Housing Needs Survey in the Parish of Dodderhill, paper surveys including an online link are being sent out to all households within the Parish. We would encourage residents within the Parish to respond to show the true housing need for their area. Closing date for responses is 15 August 2021. Visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Dodderhill/ to take part.

Facebook

There were five posts shared on Facebook. They received the following engagement:

2 likes, 0 comments, 2 shares and 2,964 people reached

Twitter

There were five posts shared on Twitter. They received the following engagement:

2 likes, 0 comments, 5 retweets and 2,627 people reached

Response Rate and Reliability

The deadline for responses to this survey was 15 August 2021. In total 186 valid responses were received, showing a response rate of 16.2%.   

With a 95% reliability factor the data is to be true to a margin of error + / - 7.0%.  

To be deemed accurate a plus / minus percentage figure should be between 4% and 8%, this survey has scored +/- 7%, so would be deemed statistically accurate. This means that if the survey was repeated with the same methodology, the results would show within +/- 7% of those which are shown within the results of this survey.

The smaller the margin of error, the more confidence you may have in your results. The bigger the margin of error, the further they can stray from the views of the total population surveyed.

As part of the data cleansing process, we check IP addresses for no duplicates (the link from Smart Surveys is set up to only accept one response per IP address). We also check for duplicate responses to eradicate any duplicates. Following successful checking, no responses were removed as duplicates during this process.

We received 117 postal responses (63% of total responses) and 69 online responses (37% of total responses).  

Analysis

How many bedrooms does your current home have?

The majority of respondents stated that they were currently living in a property with 4 or more bedrooms (41%), then 3 bedroom (37%), 2 bedrooms (16%) and 1 bedroom (6%)

What type of home do you live in?

85% of respondents stated that they lived in a house, 11% stated that they lived in a flat/apartment, 3% bungalow and 1% stated “Other.” Their responses were:

• Barn conversion
• Annexe  

No respondents stated that they lived in a mobile home or static caravan / park home.

Do you...

• 40% of the respondents stated that they owned their home outright, with a further 37% stating that they owned their own home with a mortgage.  
• 1% (2 respondents) stated that they owned a shared ownership.
• 16% stated that they rent from a housing association
• 4% from a private landlord, and 1% stated they are lodging with friends or family.

Three respondents stated “Other” (1 %), one stated the following:

• Live within a trustees property
• Live in an annexe
• Live in a property my daughter owns  

Do any of the following apply to any members of your household?

This question is determined to find a local connection or need to live in the Parish due to immediate family or employment for example. This is line with the South Worcestershire Allocations Policy for the allocation of affordable homes.

One hundred and seventy (170) respondents stated that they currently live in the Parish of Dodderhill (91% of all respondents).

A further 7% of all respondents stated that they had employment within the parish, 2% stated that they cared for a family member in the parish and 13% of respondents stated that they also had immediate family living within the Parish.  

Households were able to select one than more local connection to the Parish.

Your Future Need

Are you or anyone in your household likely to need alternative housing?

Forty-one (41) households stated that they were looking for alternative accommodation within the next five years (22% of all respondents).

All of those respondents who stated that they wished to move in the next 5 years, did meet the local connection criteria of living in the Parish for 6 out of the last 12 months, or 3 out of the last 5 years.

What might prevent you from fulfilling your future need?

Respondents were able to select all options that applied.

• 58% stated that there is a lack of suitable properties
• 24% stated that they are not able to afford suitable properties
• 12% stated that they were saving to purchase a property
• 6% stated “Other” and provided the following responses: (1) medical need, (2) looking to move out of area and (3) cannot secure 2 bed accommodation with our current housing association.

Would you prefer to?  

• 27 households (67%) stated that they would like to buy on the open market
• 10 households (24%) stated that they would like to rent from a housing association
• 3 households (7%) stated that they would like to buy a shared ownership or discount market sales property
• 1 household (92%) stated that they would like to buy a starter home.

No responses were received anyone wishing to private rent, self-build or rent to buy.

What is your total gross annual household income?

• 7 households (21%) stated less than £20,000
• 8 households (25%) stated £20,000 to £29,999
• 2 households (6%) stated £30,000 to £39,999
• 3 households (9%) stated £40,000 to £49,999
• 6 households (18%) stated £50,000 to £59,999
• 7 households (21%) stated £60,000 or over

Eight (8) respondents did not wish to state their household income.

What deposit can you afford?

This question received responses only from those wishing to own their own home, through buying on the open market or affordable home ownership tenures.  

• 5 households (25%) stated £3,000 to £9,999
• 3 households (15%) stated £10,000 to £19,999
• 3 households (15%) stated £20,000 to £29,9999
• 1 household (5%) stated £40,000 to £49,999
• 8 households (40%) sated more than £50,000

Eight (8) respondents did not wish to state their household income.

What deposit can you afford?

This question received responses only from those wishing to own their own home, through buying on the open market or affordable home ownership tenures.  

• 5 households (25%) stated £3,000 to £9,999
• 3 households (15%) stated £10,000 to £19,999
• 3 households (15%) stated £20,000 to £29,9999
• 1 household (5%) stated £40,000 to £49,999
• 8 households (40%) sated more than £50,000

Eleven (11) respondents stated that they did not wish to state the amount of deposit they had available to them as a deposit.   

Five (5) respondents stated that they have under £10,000 deposit, and these responses are based on four (4) respondents wanting to purchase on the open market, and one (1) to buy a starter home. All five respondents stated that they were looking to purchase a home up to the value of £199,999.  

It must be noted that these respondents may have to consider another form of tenure to meet their affordability based on income and deposit.  Some high street lenders are offering a 5% deposit mortgage scheme.

If owner occupier accommodation including low-cost home ownership at what price range can you afford to purchase?

This question received responses only from those wishing to purchase their own home, through the open market, self-build, or affordable home ownership tenures.  

• 11 households (50%) up to £199,999
• 3 households (14%) stated £200,000 to £249,999
• 2 households (9%) stated £250,000 to £299,999
• 1 household (5%) stated £300,000 to £349,999
• 5 households (23%) stated £400,000 plus

Nine (9) respondents stated that they did not wish to state the amount that they could afford.

If rented accommodation is required, what amount can you afford to pay on a monthly basis? This was completed by those seeking rented accommodation only.

Rent from a Housing Association

• 3 households (30%) stated less than £400 per month
• 2 households (20%) stated £401 - £500 per month
• 2 households (20%) stated £501 - £600 per month
• 1 household (10%) stated £601 - £700 per month
• 2 households (20%) stated £801+ per month

Is your Parish….? Respondents were able to select all that applied to their household.

Respondents were asked if the parish was a nice place to live, 176 out of the 183 respondents (96%) stated that it was. Three (3) respondents did not provide an answer to the question.

• 72% of respondents stated it was a friendly Parish to live within
• 46% respondents stated that the Parish had a good community spirit
• 7% of respondents stated that they felt crime was an issue in the Parish
• 41% of respondents stated that they felt the Parish is a sought-after location
• 37% of respondents stated that they felt the Parish has a balanced and varied population

Over the past three years, do you feel that your parish has:

• The majority (60%) stated that the Parish had not changed in the last 3 years
• 30% stated they believed that the Parish had changed for the worse
• 10% felt that the Parish had changed for the better

How much of a problem is traffic congestion?

• 47% felt that it was a regular problem
• 40% stated it was an occassional problem
• 13% of respondents did not feel that traffic caused a problem

How much of a problem is parking?

• 45% felt that parking was not a problem
• 30% stated that they felt parking was an occasional problem
• 25% felt that parking was a regular problem

How much of a problem is speeding?

• 54% felt that parking was a regular problem
• 33% stated that they felt parking was an occasional problem
• 13% felt that parking was not a problem

What is access to public transport like in your parish?

• 54% stated that they believed public transport was regular
• 29% felt that there is no access to public transport
• 17% felt that there was irregular access to public transport

If regular public transport were available how often would you use it?

• 47% stated that they would never use public transport.
• 36% stated that if public transport was available that would sometimes use it
• 17% stated that if public transport was available they would use it frequently

Key Worker Accommodation

Do you meet the definition of a key worker?

Forty-five (45) households (24% stated that they met the definition of being a key worker.

What is your total gross annual household income (including all other benefits)?

• 6 households (17%) stated less than £20,000
• 7 households (20%) stated £20,000 to £29,999
• 2 households (6%) stated £30,000 to £39,999
• 1 household (3%) stated £40,000 to £49,999
• 8 households (23%) stated £50,000 to £59,999
• 11 households (31%) stated over £60,000

Ten respondents did not wish to state their household income.

Do you require alternative key worker accommodation in the future?

Three out of the forty five key workers (7%) said that they would need alternative accommodation in the future.

What type and size of accommodation do you require?

• 1 household required a 3 bed house, buy on the open market to a value of £250,000 to £299,999
• 1 household required a 2 bed house, to rent from a housing association (rent not defined)
• 1 household required a 2 bed house, to rent from a housing association for a monthly rental of £500 to £599 per month.

Affordable Housing

Would you support a small affordable housing development for local people in your parish or surrounding parishes?

Seventy-seven (77) households (41%) said that they would support affordable housing within their parish or the surrounding parishes. A further one hundred and nine (109) 59% stated that they would not support affordable housing.

How many houses do you feel would class as a small affordable housing development?

• 32 households (42%) stated 10 or less
• 21 households (27%) stated between 11 and 20 units
• 9 households (12%) stated between 21 and 30 units
• 15 households (19%) stated more than 30 units

Housing Register

As at 13 October 2021, Housing For You data showed that there were 1373 households registered with a banding which indicates that they have a local connection to the Wychavon District. These households have the following bedroom need:

1 bed – 715

2 bed – 402

3 bed – 193

4 bed – 58

5 bed – 5

As at 13 October 2021, there were 27 households registered with local connection to Dodderhill. These households had the following bedroom need:

1 bed – 11

2 bed – 12

3 bed – 4

Do you currently have a live housing application through Housing For You?

In total 9 households (5%) stated that they had a current application through Housing For You, the remaining 177 (95%) of respondents did not have a current application.

Community Led Housing

Would you support a Community Led Housing development for local people in the parish?

• 74 households (40%) stated that they would support Community Led Housing within the Parish
• 112 households (60%) stated that they would not support Community Led Housing within the Parish

What communal facilities would you like to see included in a development?

• 58 households (23%) said that they would like a garden
• 60 households (23%) stated that they would like car parking
• 10 households (4%) stated that they would like a guest flat
• 14 households (5%) stated that they would like an office or computer facilities
• 29 households (11%) stated that they would like washing / drying facilities
• 22 households (9%) stated that they would like cooking facilities
• 27 households (11%) stated that they would like an indoor area for social events
• 35 households (13%) stated that they would like wifi access
• 2 households (1%) stated “Other” and both stated “Shop.”

What involvement would like you like to have in the project?

• 2 households (10%) would like to be involved in project development
• 2 households (10%) would like to be involved in the design
• 1 household (5%) would like to be involved in construction
• 4 households (20%) would like to be involved in project management
• 1 household (5%) would like to be involved in the legal side of the process
• 2 households (10%) would like to be involved in financial advice / guidance
• 1 household (5%) would like to be involved in marketing / publicity
• 4 households (20%) would like to be involved in property maintenance
• 3 households (15%) would like to be involved in ongoing management after the project completion.
• 16 households stated that they were unsure if they would like to get involved.

Do you have any additional comments about Community Led Housing developments?

• Inadequate facilities at the moment, so insufficient to support such developments.
• We have too many houses already.
• The Parish over the past few years has had more than average housing development with zero infrastructure improvements.
• We do not need any more houses in Wychbold as there have been new estates built already
• No, there seems to be numerous places to rent in the area.
• The roads cannot cope with any more housing
• I do not agree with any housing developments on green belt land such as the Chateau Impney’s latest proposal as there have been far too many houses built in the Droitwich area over the past few years without the infrastructure being increased. No more houses until infrastructure is increased to the level it needs to be for the area.
• There is already enough affordable housing in Wychbold. Wychbold has grown massively over the past 20 years and there are very few employment opportunities or infrastructure. Wychbold consists almost entirely of housing. The fact that it is on junction 5 of the M5 means that far from encouraging sustainable modes of travel, Wychbold encourages people to hop onto the M5 in their cars for work purposes or clog up the A38 that runs through the locality. Community housing would be better placed in town centres where there is an abundance of vacant premises which could be converted and much better local job opportunities and infrastructure, making car usage largely unnecessary.
• I consider that the Parish has ample Community Led housing
• Do not want land built on, area needs to remain green and ensure facilities not overrun and keep its village status. There is enough housing currently.
• In favour of mixed tenancy/tenure developments, not solely for social rent. We already have too many social rented housing in the area of Wychbold
• The one at Bradley Green looks interesting but I would prefer somewhere near to local facilities and not in the countryside.
• Too many houses already in the area. Lots of new houses and lots of houses built that are being used for Air BNB.
• Wychbold has already been over developed. The infrastructure isn’t there to support more housing.
• There would appear to be plentiful community housing already within the village with new stock added in the two recent developments
• Some people who have lived here for a long time are not welcoming to new residents and affordable homes.
• Use homes already in existence before building more and using green space
• If it was along the lines of a retirement village, like the Bromford Housing and Mcarthey and Stone, are strong examples and would free up family housing.
• Wychbold is overpopulated and roads cannot cope, nor can the schools or the doctors.
• I think we have had enough development over the last 3 years
• Infrastructure for schools, doctors, roads to accommodate extra traffic. As long as proper infrastructure is put in place before house building starts. When work started on Weston Hall Road, traffic was awful.
• We have enough new homes in our area which already cause traffic issues and parking problems. We cannot sustain any more development.
• No, this village has become too full of affordable housing. When will enough be enough?
• They lead to more traffic and parking problems.
• Our village is already overpopulated as a village and losing its identity. We also support all ages for social housing right through to bungalows and residential care facilities for the elderly. The village has more than doubled in size and no further facilities doctors etc.
• Need more council houses and less private houses

About the Parish of Dodderhill    

Ward Profile

The Parish of Dodderhill includes the following parishes:

• Dodderhill
• Upton Warren

The total population is 2484, split by 1403 male and 1445 female.

The total population is split 22.3% as under 20, 58.2% aged between 20 and 64 and over 65, 19.5%.

The Parish of Dodderhill has increased by 396 people (+16.2%) between 2011 and 2018.

The housing tenure is split by:

• 324 (33%) homes owned outright
• 406 (42%) homes owned with a mortgage
• 83 (8%) homes which are rented privately
• 152 (15%) homes are rental at an affordable rent
• 22 (2%) are listed as “Other.”

This data is relating to the 2011 Census

The housing type is split by:

• 440 detached homes (43%)
• 286 semi detached homes (28%)
• 178 terraced homes (17%)
• 115 flat/maisonette (11%)
• 10 caravan / mobile home (1%)

This data is relating to the 2011 Census

Housing Market

We assessed the properties purchased on the open market within the Parish of Dodderhill.  

Purchases on the open market in Dodderhill

Within the last 12 months, twenty-one (21) properties have been sold. The average price of these properties sold within the previous 12-month period is £272,857.14. This is slightly lower than the ward profile average of £316,795.00

The property prices ranged from £164,000.00 to £480,000.00.   

Currently on the market

When looking at properties for sale in Dodderhill (within 1 mile of the Parish), as of the 15 October  2021l, 3 properties were listed for sale, with a maximum value of £395,000 and minimum value of £250,000. This provides an average house price of £323,333.33 This is much higher than the average ward sales price of £316,795.00.

Properties available ranged from 4-bedroom house, to a 1 bedroomed cottage.    

Private Rental

When looking at properties for rent in Dodderhill (Within 1 mile of the Parish), as of the 15 October, the following two properties were available. One being a 4 bed semi detached property for £1000 per month and a one bed retirement property for £640 per month.

Conclusion

The survey received a response rate of 16.2% showing a margin of error to 95% as + / - 7.0%.

It is possible that not all residents with a housing need will have responded, although a paper survey was sent to all households within the Parish. A copy of this can be seen in Appendix One.

The survey has identified forty-one (41) households stated that they were looking for alternative accommodation within the next five years (22% of respondents). Of these:

• Twenty-seven (27) stated that they would buy on the open market
• Ten (10) would rent from a housing association
• One (1) stated they would buy a starter home
• Three (3) stated that they would like to purchase a discount market sales or shared ownership property

Three keyworkers confirmed that they would require additional housing:

• 1 x 3 bed house, buy on the open market, with a budget of £250,000 to £299,999.
• 1 x 2 bed house, rent from a housing association (no monthly rental amount disclosed)
• 1 x 2 bed house, rent from a housing association, with rent of £500 - £599 a month

For a full breakdown of the housing requirements by tenure and bedroom need, please request a copy of the full report from the Housing Strategy and Enabling Team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.