Housing solution rests with council

A BLUEPRINT for what could become another large-scale retirement home complex has been laid bare by developers. And the News Telegraph’s social media followers are far from happy.

Facebook posts ranged from the disappointed to the downright angry, as many disagreed with claims there is a need for retirement property in the town.

Like it or lump it, there a need for retirement homes. If there wasn’t, these companies wouldn’t be investing millions.

One of the suggestions we’ve often heard is that there aren’t enough genuinely affordable homes in Ashbourne to suit the other end of the spectrum. Young families and couples struggle to find a place to live in the town and are often forced to move away from a community in which they’ve grown up.

While there’s certainly a need for retirement homes, smaller homes that first-time buyers can afford are also needed.

The trouble is, when you boil it down, there’s little money to be made building a cluster of twoup, two-downs.

But if we’re to ensure Ashbourne remains a vibrant, forward-thinking town, these are exactly the houses we need. We need to attract younger people, new generations to build family lives in Ashbourne and help its businesses to grow.

So what’s the solution? Well, if the developers won’t show an interest in building lowcost housing then it’s down to the council. Now, more than ever before, we need our local authorities to invest in the future of the towns they represent. The profits from starter homes might not be attractive to developers, but surely our cash-strapped councils would welcome a cash injection, however small.

And then, when there’s another plan submitted for a retirement complex, the “keyboard warriors” tucked up in their new houses might be happier to accept it.