We’ve sent a letter to every postal address in Gainford and Langton with more information about why we’re doing this survey. You can request a copy of that letter or if you have you have any questions about filling in the form, please contact Susan Tron at Susan.TronMBE@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

You can complete the survey below, or if you’d rather fill in the paper version we posted to you, just return it using the pre-paid envelope by 31st December 2025.

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* 1. Is this your main home?

PART 1 - You and Your Household

(A household is one person living alone or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room or sitting room or dining area)

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* 2. How would you describe your home?

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* 3. Please confirm the type of house (please tick one option):

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* 4. How many bedrooms does your home have? (tick one box only)

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* 5. Who owns your home?

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* 6. How many families are living in this dwelling?

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* 7. How many years have you lived in this parish?

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* 8. Please tell us the age of all those living in your home:

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* 9. Have any members of your family moved away from the parish in the last 5 years, due to not being able to find a suitable home locally?

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* 10. Do you or does anyone living with you need to move to alternative accommodation, either open market or affordable?

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* 11. If you answered 'yes' to question 9, please specify where you would be looking to move to:

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* 12. If a need should be identified, would you be supportive of a small development of affordable homes for local people? Please see Key Terms - Affordable Housing table at the end of this survey.

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* 13. Would you remain supportive (in principle, if this survey identifies such a need) for a development that is primarily affordable housing for local people, or those with connections to the parish? Please see Key Terms - Affordable Housing table at the end of this survey.

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* 14. Would you be supportive for a small development of housing for sale on the open market?

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* 15. Would you be supportive of a Community Led Housing project (not for profit)?

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* 16. Would you or a member of your household be interested in being personally involved in a community led housing scheme?

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* 17. Can you suggest a site/location where a small rural development could be built?

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* 18. In general, what type of housing do you believe the parish would benefit from? Please see Key Terms - Affordable Housing table at the end of this survey.

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* 19. Any other comments? (these will be recorded anonymously in the report)

If no-one in your household is in need of alternative accommodation, you do not need to complete Part 2 of this survey. PLEASE NOW SCROLL TO END OF THE SURVEY AND CLICK DONE TO SUBMIT YOUR RESPONSE.
Part 2 - Open Market and Affordable Housing Needs: only to be completed by respondents who have indicated a housing need by answering Yes to Q9 in part 1 of the survey.

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* 20. When do those requiring accommodation need to move from this home?

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* 21. Who owns your current home?

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* 22. If you could stay/move back to the parish which option would you choose? Please see Key Terms - Affordable Housing table at the end of this survey.

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* 23. Are you on the local housing register or waiting list (Durham Key Options)?
To be considered for affordable housing you must register on Durham Key Options, please go to https://www.durhamkeyoptions.co.uk/.

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* 24. What type of accommodation would meet your needs?

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* 25. How many bedrooms do you require?

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* 26. Does anyone requiring alternative accommodation have specific housing needs (long term illness/disability)?

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* 27. What is your main reason for moving? (tick one box only)

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* 28. Please indicate the age and relationship of each person needing to move. (Person 1 is yourself, for other persons in the household, please note the relationship to you )

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* 29. What type of household will the new household be? (tick one box only)

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* 30. Will the new household be claiming housing benefit/universal credit?

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* 31. Which of the following best describes your current situation? (tick one box only)

To enable a basic financial assessment to be carried out on those in housing need and suitability of tenure it would be very useful if you could complete the following questions on the financial situation of the new household. Those seeking shared ownership or open market housing will require enough savings to cover costs such as deposit, legal fees etc.

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* 32. Please indicate the total gross (before tax) average annual income of the household in housing need (joint if a couple). Do not include housing benefit or council tax benefit.

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* 33. Do you have savings which may be used to contribute towards the cost of a new home?

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* 34. Would you expect to have any equity from your current home(s) (money remaining) which may be used to contribute towards the cost of a new home?

If you would like us to pass your personal details to the relevant housing association in the event that an affordable housing scheme goes ahead, please provide your contact details below. This will help make sure your household needs are considered. We will not share other details and there is no commitment.

By completing this section, you are giving Durham Community Action consent to securely store your personal details and to provide this information only for use in connection with this survey. We will not pass your data to any other third parties and the information you provide to us is protected under GDPR regulations. You can read our privacy notice here.

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* 35. Contact details:

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* 36. Do you give your permission to share your contact details

Your Rural Housing Enabler Susan Tron can be contacted on 07496 461998 or by email susan.tronmbe@durhamcommunityaction.org.uk

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* 37. Key Terms - Affordable Housing

The following tenures come under the current government definition of Affordable Housing in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Tenure: Rented - Housing Association
Housing rented through a Housing Association that is lower than local market rents. This can be “affordable” rent (80% of market rent) or “social” rent (40-60% of market rent). This type of housing is much more secure than private rented housing.

Shared ownership – Housing Association
Part rent/part buy. This allows first time buyers/non-homeowners who cannot afford 100% ownership of a home to buy a percentage of it; rent is also paid to the Housing Association for the part they do not own. A smaller deposit is required than buying a full market cost home. It is necessary to be able to obtain and afford a mortgage, if required, on the share that is bought.

Discounted market sale
The property is sold at least 20% lower than local open market values. When the homes are sold on, the discount remains in place for new buyers in perpetuity. For eligibility you must not already own a home and your income should not exceed 45% of the discounted sale price of the property. It is necessary to be able to obtain and afford the mortgage on the property.

First Homes
The government’s new flagship discounted affordable sale model which has just been launched. Minimum discount of open market value will be 30%, although Local Authorities have discretion to increase discount to 40% or 50% should there be evidence to support this. The percentage discount is kept in perpetuity. Strictly for first time buyers only, with a household income of no more than £80,000 outside London. Buyers must have a mortgage / home purchase plan covering at least 50% of the discounted purchase value.

Other Housing Tenures:

Open market housing
Housing that is open for anyone to purchase at the full market value for the area.

Private Rented
Property owned by a landlord and leased to a tenant.

Self-build / Custom Build
There are various types of self-build. Most commonly, the buyer acquires a serviced plot of land on which to either build their home themselves or use a contractor.
Custom build is access to a serviced plot where a home is built and is then finished off by the purchaser using a menu of options.

Rural Exception Site
A plot of land abutting the development boundary, well connected to services & facilities with the aim of providing affordable local needs housing in the village. This land will only receive planning permission for affordable housing with a local connection in perpetuity. It is an “exception” to the development sites detailed in the local plan. A small amount of open market may be permitted, only if required for cross subsidy. Only suitable for parishes with a population of 3,000 or less.
Development is restricted in size/ tenure to the need identified.

Community Led Housing
Community Led Housing is where local people join together to look at housing issues in their local area.
Find our more here: https://www.durhamcommunityaction.org.uk/community-led-housing

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