Opinion split over plan for 11 homes
Residents are divided over plans to build 11 homes on the outskirts of their village.
People living in Carlton, near Market Bosworth, were at first in favour of the "affordable" homes which they believed were for local people to buy.
However, many have changed their minds since they realised the properties were, in fact, going to be social housing for people on the housing list to rent or part-buy.
A group is calling for a parish poll to gauge the village's stance on the scheme.
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But the parish council, which is supporting the project, said a poll would be "superfluous", as there is a proven need in the village for the properties.
Ted Goold, of Carlton, is among those calling for the poll.
He said: "At a parish meeting, the social housing project was rejected by 46 votes to 29 votes. Thus the scheme was opposed by 61 per cent of those present.
"We want to find out what the view of the village is. If people vote in favour of it, then we will accept the decision. If not, the parish council should listen to the residents and withdraw its backing for the project."
Mr Goold said people had supported the project because they believed it was for young people from the village who wanted to get on the housing ladder and others who wanted to downsize so they could retire in the village.
He said: "We fear people from outside the village who are on the borough waiting list will be housed here.
"We do not believe the parish council is representing the views of the community."
Joan Llewellyn, who has lived in the village for nearly 36 years, said: "Many in the village feel they were misled. We believe if a poll were conducted now, the majority of the residents would be opposed to it."
The project involves the Nottingham Community Housing Association building the properties with grant backing from local and national government.
Carlton parish council clerk Chris Peat said a majority of villagers voted in favour of a small affordable housing scheme in summer last year.
He said 126 out of 245 eligible people had voted in favour. Only 77 rejected the idea.
Mr Peat said: "This response also showed an absolute majority of all parishioners supported the project. A parish poll would be superfluous."
He said 14 applicants, with strong local connections, had been identified as potential tenants.
Ward councillor and borough planning committee member Tina Chastney declined to comment on the project.
Comments
by LikeItaLot
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 11:06PM
“So it is not the scale of housing objected to but the likley people living there. The bit about we thought locals might buy is a red herring. A shameful attitude that puts a dirty ring around the title nimby”
by llamalamb
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 9:25PM
“What did they think affordable housing was for? It is not to enable well heeled locals to buy at a bargain price. It is for the homeless, for those families who cannot afford the inflated country village prices and for key workers. If you want to have a cleaner, a postman, a shop assistant, school staff and nurses then you need affordable housing.”
by Neil0123
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 6:52PM
“Can we swap? We'll have 11 houses in our bit of the County and they can have the 500 or so that are planned here?”