Background and Process
For several months, the Council has explored the feasibility of a small-scale rural exception site to provide affordable housing for local people. A site selection process was undertaken, identifying four potential locations within the parish boundaries.

Outcome of Landowner Negotiations
The Council can confirm that all four identified sites are in the private ownership of a single family. The landowners have now notified the Council that they do not wish to sell any of the land for the purpose of an affordable housing scheme at this time. We are not privy to their future plans for their land.

Council Statement
In the absence of any other suitable or available land within the parish for this development, Stisted Parish Council therefore announces that the proposed current Rural Affordable Housing Scheme cannot proceed.

We recognise that this decision will be disappointing for those who had hoped this scheme would provide affordable housing locally. The need for affordable homes was clearly identified in the Housing Needs Survey, and the Parish Council worked hard to explore ways of meeting that need. We are sorry that, on this occasion, it has not been possible to bring the scheme forward.

The Council would like to thank those residents who engaged constructively with the process. No further action will be taken regarding the scheme at this time.

A Note on Community Engagement:
Stisted Parish Council is committed to the Civility and Respect Pledge. While we welcome constructive feedback on all parish matters, we expect all communications to be conducted with mutual respect. The Council will not engage with correspondence that is abusive, personal, or aggressive in nature.