SUCKLEY residents are demanding that the need for affordable housing in the village to be looked at again, following a special parish meeting last week.

The council will make a decision next week on whether to undertake a new housing needs survey after listening to concerns at the meeting last Thursday (October 3).

This was called in response to worries that new housing in Damson Way may not afterall be let to people with a local connection. The development includes 12 properties for rent and four for shared ownership built by Elgar Housing Association, as well as five built by private developers. Parish councillor Brian Harvey, who chaired the meeting, declined to comment until a decision on whether to undertake a new survey had been made.

However, Richard Grounds, commercial director for Elgar Housing, reaffirmed its intention to only give the properties to people matching agreed criteria.

"We all agreed on a formal local lettings policy which sets out who will be eligible for the properties and how they prove their local connection," he said.

"It was reached in agreement with the parish council and Malvern Hills District Council about how that allocation would be made. People from Suckley were given priority.

"We were able to clarify any misunderstandings about how that policy operated."

Mr Grounds said there were still people in the village who needed accommodation following the Damson Way development.

"We discussed what we can do to consider a provision of additional affordable housing in the area. The parish council is to consider undertaking a further housing needs survey.

"We all await further talks with the council on the housing needs survey and, in the meantime, will give consideration to further opportunities for new housing in the area should they come to light."