THE lack of affordable homes in south Shropshire was discussed at a "useful" gathering in Whitehall this month.

At the meeting with Housing Minister Keith Hill were Ludlow's MP Matthew Green, the leader of South Shropshire District Council, Councillor Heather Kidd, and Graham Biggs SSDC chief executive.

At present local people earning local wages are finding it impossible get a foothold on the housing ladder.

The council has launched a variety of initiatives including the much-lauded affordable homes policy.

However, one part of this, the Single Plot Scheme allowing local people to build single homes in hamlets and villages where they have strong family ties, has been turned down by a government inspector.

"This was a key issue we wanted to discuss directly with the minister," said Mr Biggs. "The recommendation against this scheme would effectively remove the potential for delivering affordable housing for local people in hamlets until 2011," said Mr Biggs.

"It was a very useful meeting. He is well aware of the significant housing issues we face.

"He has given us hope. He will ensure the issues we face will be taken fully into account when the Government looks at the final draft of our Local Plan."

Councillor Kidd also welcomed the Minister's involvement.

"He was very interested in the particular difficulties we face including sparsity of population, low local wage levels and the high number of affordable homes we need to build to serve our housing need," she said.