Taking Control: Why Pilton Parish Council Commissioned Its Own Housing Needs Survey
When a developer presented plans to Pilton Parish Council for 79 affordable homes on the Old Police House field, councillors and parishioners alike raised their eyebrows. There was clearly some housing need in the village — but did it really justify a development of that scale, on that site? The Parish Council thought the number seemed too high, and suspected that many of those figures reflected people who would simply like to live in Pilton, rather than those with a genuine, pressing local need.
Rather than accept the developer’s numbers at face value, Pilton Parish Council decided to find out for itself. Cllr Claire Sully and Parish Council Chair Kelly Sumner initiated contact with Somerset Council’s Affordable Housing team, a partnership was formed — with Pilton Parish Council firmly in the driving seat and Somerset Council providing expert support throughout the process.
What is Homefinder Somerset — and why isn’t it enough?
The developer’s case for housing need was largely built on data from Homefinder Somerset, the county’s choice-based lettings register. At the time of enquiry, Somerset Council’s own Rural Housing Enabler noted that 68 households with a local connection to Pilton had live applications on the system. On the face of it, that sounds significant for a parish of around 450 households.
But Homefinder has real limitations as a measure of local need. It only captures people who have already registered for social rented accommodation. It tells you nothing about households who aspire to some form of home ownership — whether shared ownership, discounted market sale, or open market purchase — but simply cannot afford it. It also misses people who have a genuine connection to the village but, for whatever reason, have never registered on the system. And crucially, the figures are live and shifting: they change week to week as people are housed or new applicants come forward, and they are not broken down in a way that tells a parish what type or tenure of housing is actually needed.
In short, Homefinder can indicate that a need exists, but it cannot tell you how big that need truly is, or what kind of homes would best meet it. That is precisely what a Housing Needs Survey is designed to do.
What the survey involved
A Housing Needs Survey is an anonymous questionnaire sent to every household in the parish. It asks residents about their current housing situation, whether they have a need to move, what type and tenure of home they are looking for, and what they can realistically afford. The results are then analysed and written up into a report that gives the Parish Council solid, locally-grounded evidence on which to base decisions.
In Pilton’s case, the survey was carried out with the support of Somerset Council’s affordable housing team, but the Parish Council drove the process — promoting it to residents, encouraging responses, and making clear why it mattered.
What happened in practice
As the Chair noted at this meeting, the response painted a revealing picture. Homeowners who were settled and comfortable largely didn’t feel the need to respond — which is entirely normal. But crucially, enough responses came in from those who do need affordable housing to make the exercise genuinely worthwhile. The results gave the Parish Council something it did not have before: its own independent, community-rooted evidence base.
Why this matters
Without a Housing Needs Survey, a parish is effectively arguing from instinct. With one, it has facts. Under Mendip’s Local Plan policy DP12, a full Housing Needs Survey carried out in co-operation with the Parish Council is a required precursor to any Rural Exception Site development. That means a developer cannot simply rely on Homefinder data or pre-application estimates to push a scheme forward — the Parish Council has a formal, meaningful role in shaping what gets built, for whom, and where.
It also puts the Parish Council in a much stronger position if unsuitable proposals come forward. The evidence gathered through a proper survey is recognised by planners and is taken into account when planning applications are decided.
What the Pilton experience shows other parishes
If a developer approaches your village with numbers that feel too high — or too convenient — you don’t have to take their word for it. A parish-led Housing Needs Survey, done in partnership with your local authority, gives your community its own voice in the process. It won’t always be quick, and the process takes commitment. But it ensures that any housing built in your village reflects what your community actually needs, not what a developer finds convenient to build.
Pilton Parish Council took that step. The results were worth it.
For more information on Housing Needs Surveys and the role of parish councils in rural affordable housing, see the Rural Housing Alliance’s Parish Councillors’ Guide to Rural Affordable Housing.
Here’s a summary of Pilton Housing Needs Survey 2025 Report:
Background The survey was conducted between November–December 2025 by Thrive on behalf of Pilton Parish Council, funded by DEFRA. 53 valid responses were received, representing 12% of households in the parish.
Key Finding: Affordable Housing Need 7 households were identified as eligible for affordable housing, needing:
- 3 x 2-bedroom properties
- 4 x 3-bedroom properties
None required adapted or level-access housing.
The Affordability Problem Pilton has severe affordability issues. The average house price over the last 5 years was £574,000, against a Somerset median wage of around £36,800 — a ratio of nearly 17:1. This prices out young people, families, and workers in sectors like health, hospitality, and agriculture.
Community Views The majority of respondents (31 out of 53) supported affordable housing for local people. The most desired housing types were family homes, homes for young people, and social rented properties.
Wider Housing Register Data 59 people on Homefinder Somerset have expressed a preference to live in Pilton, 31 of whom have a local connection to the parish.
Recommendations The report recommends the Parish Council consider setting up an Affordable Housing Working Group to identify sites, explore Community Land Trust models, and engage with housing associations and Somerset Council.