kilmacolm 2012

• 7.73     Kilmacolm Civic Trust wonders whether the term 'affordable'  means that other houses are 'unaffordable'.  CALA thinks that a house costing no more than £40,000 is 'affordable', but the council's alternative figure of no more than £60,000 is likely to be nearer the mark; 10% of houses sold in Kilmacolm in 2003 cost less than£60,000. The  council's waiting list is not a good indicator of need;  many of therequests for Kilmacolm  come from applicants who live outside the village, so it is likely that any need for affordable housing can be met elsewhere in Inverclyde.

7.74     There is an over-supply of local authority rented accommodation; some may require  upgrading to   attract   tenants,  but that   should  be  done  first   before  any consideration is given to the release of green  belt  land. In any event, there  is no evidence of a substantial need for affordable housing in Kilmacolm.  Such housing is often suitable for young couples or single people getting started on the housing ladder

– the largest increase in types of household in Inverclyde has been single-occupancy. These are the very people who require to be near employment opportunities but, with the  lack  of such opportunities locally and the exceptionally  poor  public  transport situation in Kilmacolm and Quarriers, these villages seem unsuitable for that sector of the housing market.  Any such need that might emerge that cannot be met elsewhere in  Inverclyde should be  met within Kilmacolm, e.g. Smiddy Brae or land near the community centre, rather than a new green belt site.

You can read more about 'affordable' in this link