Despite an excellent rate of response, and a range of views highlighted, the results of the Housing Needs Survey conducted in 2020 have been found to have errors and inconsistencies. Unfortunately, this means that we cannot rely on the results.

After protracted discussions it became apparent that we could not agree a way forward and Stansfield Parish Council has negotiated a refund for the full cost of the survey - £2,288.55 plus VAT - from Community Action Suffolk [CAS*] who carried it out.

We have also asked West Suffolk Council to remove any reference to this survey from its website and the Local Plan and not to use the results in any future planning decisions. This has been done. It will no doubt be disappointing for residents who took part in the survey as the insights provided by the survey can now not be used.

Whilst the Parish Council is not out of pocket, we are no further forward in gathering the views, visions, and preferences of Stansfield residents on the future of our village. We shall be looking at ways to involve you and collect your ideas on how best to do this. Parish Councillors are on hand to discuss this matter so please contact us if you have views you would like to share.

We thank all the parish councillors who spent a great deal of voluntary time on this project and also to thank everyone who took time to complete the survey two years ago.

If you would like to read about this issue in more detail, correspondence between the ourselves, CAS and West Suffolk council can be found on our website http://stansfield.onesuffolk.net/meetings/meeting-reports/housing-needs-survey/

*CAS [Community Action Suffolk] are the principal support organisation for Suffolk’s Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector and is a recognised provider of Housing Need Surveys.