In 2005, Shoreham Parish Council, supported by Sevenoaks District Council, asked the Rural Housing Enabler at Action with Communities in Rural Kent to carry out a housing needs survey in the Parish, to identify if there was a need for affordable housing for local people.  The results identified a housing need from 17 households and the Parish council agreed that a small development of eight homes would go someway to meet this need.  From an initial sight search it was agreed that the most appropriate available site was in Filston Lane.  The land identified formed part of Timberden Farm, owned by the District Council and let on a Farm Business Tenancy.  The land would have no other development use other than for agricultural purposes were it not for an identified local need and had been valued at £25,000.  The original purchase of the farm by the District Council provided for the vendor to receive 50% of any proceeds of sale of whole or part of the farm for development purposes.  The proposal accorded with equality issues in that it would be beneficial to provide housing for disadvantaged sections of the local community, especially in rural areas such as Shoreham.

The Portfolio for Finance and Value for Money reported that at its last meeting, Shoreham Parish Council had taken the decision to defer any further request pending a further review.  The Performance and Governance Committee had deferred any decision until a further request from Shoreham Parish Council was received.

Resolved: That the decision be deferred pending further review.