Affordable Housing Scheme
In early 2025, East Mersea Parish Council, in partnership with the Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE), conducted a Housing Needs Survey to assess the current and future housing needs of local residents. The survey achieved a 34% response rate—slightly above the county average—and provided valuable insights into the housing challenges and aspirations within the parish.
Key Findings
- Local Housing Need: 14 households indicated a need to move within the next five years, with 9 providing sufficient information to assess their housing needs. These households expressed a strong desire to remain in the parish, highlighting the importance of enabling local people to stay within their community.
- Affordability Gap: The analysis revealed a significant gap between local incomes and property prices. Even households with moderate incomes face barriers to accessing home ownership or private rental options in East Mersea, where average house prices range from £325,000 to over £700,000.
- Preferred Housing Types: The most common need was for smaller, more affordable homes, particularly 1- and 2-bedroom properties. There was also a clear preference for affordable rented housing, with some interest in shared ownership and discounted market sale.
- Community Sentiment: Views on new housing were evenly split, with 49% of respondents supportive of a small development (4–8 homes) for local people, and 49% opposed. While concerns were raised about infrastructure and overdevelopment, many residents expressed conditional support for modest, well-designed housing that meets local needs.
Recommendation
Based on the evidence, the report recommends a small, sensitively designed development of up to 9 homes, including:
- 6 affordable rented homes (1–4 bedrooms)
- 2 shared ownership homes
- 1 open market bungalow to support local downsizing
This mix reflects the diversity of need within the parish and aims to support younger residents, families, and older people wishing to remain in East Mersea.