West Devon Borough Council produced a Housing Needs Survey in November 2000 following the Guide to Good Practice for local housing needs assessment published by the former DETR in July 2000. The survey was based on 499 completed personal interviews and 1786 returned postal survey forms across the Borough. It was updated in April 2003 to inform the Local Plan Enquiry. The data in the Housing Needs Survey is held on a Parish basis and WDBC aims to carry out at least four individual Parish surveys every year in order to refine the data for specific settlements and areas.

The Housing Needs Study concentrated on the housing requirement for those unable to afford housing at normal market prices but the data also provided a useful insight into general housing requirements and demand beyond affordable housing. It showed that, overall, in the owner occupied sector there is a net shortfall of smaller housing, in particular two bedroomed units, but also of one and three bedroomed units. It suggested the following mix of market housing was needed for the Borough as a whole:

Dwelling size	% in group
One bedroom	19.6
Two bedrooms	55.5
Three bedrooms	20.4
Four or more bedrooms	4.5
All housing	100.0