Exmoor Residents Urged to Take Part in Biggest Ever Housing Needs Survey

Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA), Somerset Council, and North Devon Council are calling on residents to help shape the future of housing across Exmoor by completing the Exmoor Housing Needs Survey.

The survey aims to gather vital information about local housing needs to help inform future housing provision and a future Exmoor Local Plan review.

Exmoor residents, and those with a connection to Exmoor National Park such as through work, are being asked to take part. Housing need can arise for many reasons including: Local accommodation being unaffordable, current homes no longer meeting household needs, properties in disrepair, financial pressures requiring a move or a desire to own a home, including self-build or custom-build projects.

To access the survey:Click here or visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/housing-survey for more information.

The survey is open until 31 March 2026.

The information collected will help update important evidence and ensure housing need in Exmoor’s communities is not underestimated. Young people approaching adulthood are encouraged to complete their own survey. Residents should share the link with anyone who has moved away but hopes to return or works locally but lives outside the National Park.

Steven Pugsley Chairman of the Planning Committee from ENPA said: “Understanding the housing needs of our communities is essential to keeping Exmoor a living, working landscape. By taking part in this survey, residents and those with strong connection to the National Park can help us plan for the future and ensure new housing addresses local needs. Your input will really make a difference.”

Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness, said: “We know that access to suitable, affordable housing is vital for the wellbeing of our communities. This survey will give us a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing residents across Exmoor and I encourage everyone with a connection to the area to take part.”

Councillor Graham Bell, Lead Member for Housing at North Devon Council said:  “Everyone with a connection to Exmoor National Park needs to see this. Whether you live or work here, have family here, or you were raised here but had to move away, your experience really matters. This survey will directly inform future housing provision and feed into the review of the Exmoor Local Plan. Please take a few minutes to complete and share the survey.”

Parish surveys are a vital starting point for evidencing local need for housing. Following evidence of a local housing need, almost 120 affordable homes with a local need occupancy tie have since been achieved in Exmoor’s communities through conversions, new build and self-build. The information provided will help update previous data and ensure housing need on Exmoor is not underestimated.

The survey is online and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. It has two parts:

  • Part 1: For everyone, regardless of housing need or current accommodation.
  • Part 2: For those hoping to move within the next five years and wishing to live in Exmoor National Park.

Somerset Council have asked to include Brushford because, uniquely, all parishes surrounding it are either in Exmoor National Park or Devon which are not in the same Local Plan area.

All responses will be treated in strict confidence, and no personal data will be published.

We aim to make a summary report available online in Winter 2026, with housing need by parish.

For more information on housing options or to register on local housing registers, visit:

Paper copies of the survey and/or computers to enable you to complete the survey online are available at the following local libraries during opening hours. You are advised to check opening times:

Dulverton Library: Fore Street, Dulverton TA22 9EX

Lynton Library: Market Hall, Market Street, Lynton EX35 6AF Tel: 01598 752505

Porlock Community Library: Old School Centre, Porlock TA24 8NP If you are not digitally confident, one to one sessions are available on Wednesday mornings (Booking required)

South Molton Library: The Amory Centre, 125 East Street, South Molton EX36 3BU Tel: 01769 572128

No personal information will be disclosed, and the report will not contain information that can identify an individual.

Find more FAQs at www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk/housing-survey