YOUNG FAMILIES HAVE TO LEAVE AREA

A new report shows the average household income required to purchase a two bedroom terraced house in Wealden is 47,100, but more than half of households (58 per cent) earn less than 27,500 a year.

Wealden District Council housing cabinet member Cllr Margaret Kirkpatrick said: 'We believe there are some 2,000 sons and daughters living at home with their parents who want to move into their own accommodation but can't afford to.

'This is a serious situation that has got worse due to rising house prices and the sale of council housing stock.

'Over the past five years the average price of a terraced house has increased by 95 per cent in Wealden and on average the council loses some 50-60 properties each year through tenants exercising their right to buy.

'This lack of affordable housing is the reason given by some 43 per cent of households who are moving away from the district.'

The last survey six years ago showed that Wealden needed to provide 120-150 affordable new homes each year to keep pace with demand.

But this has now rocketed to 874 affordable new homes a year.

The main need is for flats and terraced houses.

Wealden has the lowest proportion of social housing - just 7.5 per cent of its total housing stock - of any district in East Sussex, and its share is way below the national average of 19.3 per cent.

New housing guidelines to encourage a 30 per cent share of affordable housing in major developments and a scheme, known as HOPE, for homes in rural parishes, which are 100 per cent affordable will help the situation.

But a new housing needs survey shows much more needs to be done.

Cllr Kirkpatrick added: 'Young people and their families are the lifeblood of our communities.

'If we fail to provide affordable homes, and allow a NIMBY attitude to prevail, we may be wrecking all of our futures.'

The survey also revealed a growing need for sheltered accommodation and homes for people with mobility problems.

There is expected to be a 58 per cent increase in the retired population of Wealden between 2003 and 2026.