Who we are...

In May 2006, Wells Area Partnership and Wells Town Council commissioned a survey into the housing needs of local people. As a direct result of this survey ‘Homes for Wells’ was formed.

Five years on, in 2011, Homes for Wells organised a 2nd survey to see if the situation has changed over the years. The full results of the survey are available on this site.

• The average sold house price in Wells during the period Jan ‘11 to March ’11 was £294,658 and in Norfolk as a whole it was £137,043 during the same period.  The average price of a property in Wells during the first 3 months of 2006 was £256,653 this figure has increased by almost 15% in the past 5 years

• 42.71% of households in Wells-next-the-Sea have an income under £20,000 whereas 32.30% of  households in England have an income under £20,000. The average annual income for an individual in full time employment in England is £26,000.

• So what is ‘affordable’?  £60k was suggested in 2006 – with a household income of £20,000 an £80,000 mortgage may be a possibility!!

• In the East of England the annual income needed to buy an average home is £44,631.  Homes sell in the same area at an average of £190,000 the average gross annual income in the East of England area is - £16,913

• 22.1% of households in Wells are second homes

   

Due to the increasing popularity of the town for retirement and second homes, house prices have risen at such an alarming rate that many locals are unable to afford to buy property in the town and are being forced to live elsewhere.

It is imperative that Wells retains its friendly community spirit by ensuring a good balance of young and old, single people, couples and families along with the volunteers and workers essential to the well being of a community.  Wells is a renowned holiday destination and relies on tourism as one of the major sources of income.  It is therefore inevitable that people are going to want to purchase 2nd homes here.  The danger is that Wells will become a ghost town during the winter season.  By providing affordable homes for the locals Homes for Wells is trying to ensure a balance is maintained.  Keeping the town vibrant 52 weeks of the year and endeavouring to ensure that Wells retains the very character and services which make it so attractive.

Homes for Wells is an independent body and has the support of ten Board Members:
Rosalie Monbiot OBE - (Chair) (Retired Social Worker), Peter Terrington (Retired Teacher), Carol Jennings (Retired Headteacher), Marcus French (French’s Fish & Chips), Anne Phillips (Retired Solicitor), Duncan Marshall-Andrew (Builder/Developer), Jim Fergusson (Whin Hill Cider), Fiona MacCallum, Steve Tuck (Retired Army Officer), and Lynn Watson .