PEOPLE who live and work in Upper Arley are being asked about their future housing needs in a new survey that will help shape future residential development in the parish.

Wyre Forest District Council is inviting residents and those with close links with the parish to complete a written questionnaire to determine their current and future housing needs.

Forms will be delivered to homes this week and residents have until Wednesday, March 8, to complete and return them.

Results will be analysed and used to inform the Upper Arley Neighbourhood Plan and the Wyre Forest District Local Plan to guide future development until 2032.

Councillor Juliet Smith, cabinet member for health, well-being and housing, said: "The Housing Needs Survey for Upper Arley is your chance to help shape residential development in your area for the next few years.

"It is very important that you complete this survey as the council needs to know your current and future housing needs in order to make sure that we get the right mix of housing developments.

"The information gathered from this survey will be fundamentally important in ensuring that we meet the needs of the community.

"We need to build up a detailed and comprehensive view of your area, which means we not only need information from current residents - but we also need information about households that may be changing in the near future and from people and families who have moved away from the parish after living here and who would like to return.

"So, please do keep a look out for the survey, complete it and return it by the deadline. Your input is essential."

Graham Rickhuss, parish council chairman, added: "The parish council is concerned that young people are leaving the parish as they are unable to find suitable housing in their local area.

"The results of the survey will identify the needs of the local community, including young people."

Wyre Forest District Council has already completed similar housing needs surveys in Chaddesley Corbett, Rock, Churchill and Blakedown, and Bewdley. Further studies will be carried out for other parts of the district over the next few years.

Responses should be posted back in the Freepost envelope provided to Wyre Forest District Council's housing team at Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, by March 8.