WEST Somerset Council has hit 75 per cent of its affordable housing target with the approval of two schemes at last week's planning committee meeting.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for Falcon Rural Housing Ltd to build five affordable homes to rent in Crowcombe, while the approval of an open market scheme for 46 homes on land close to The Shires in Minehead, released land for 33 affordable properties at nearby Silvermead.

Discussing the Crowcombe plans, councillors took into account a number of objections, including those raised by the local parish council and the Quantock Hills AONB, as well as support from villagers and the applicant.

Councillors were told local agencies had worked for more than 20 years to meet an ongoing identified need for affordable housing in the Quantock Hills parish and more than a dozen of the 20-plus potential schemes investigated over the years were laid out in the report.

Cllr Keith Turner, the council's lead member for housing, said: "The number of homes needed is not great, but almost an entire generation has been denied the chance of renting their own affordable home in the parish where they have a strong local connection, with many actually having been born or raised there.

"I am delighted that the committee took on board the strength of feeling expressed by residents who may otherwise be forced to live in unsuitable circumstances or to possibly even abandon their roots.

"It is sad to lose one generation of affordable homes but I am pleased that members voted unanimously to address what must be a very frustrating and sad situation for local residents."

The second application, to develop land to the east of The Shires in Minehead by Summerfield Developments SW Ltd, was approved on the same day.

Members heard that the 46 open market dwellings proposed on a former college agricultural site would enable a mixed development of 33 affordable homes to rent on adjacent land at Silvermead to go ahead.

Summerfield Developments had teamed up with Magna Housing Association to make the affordable homes scheme viable.

The plans for Silvermead, which were approved in September, included proposals for two-bedroom bungalows and three- and four-bedrooms homes that would be let to people with local connections at affordable rents.

Cllr Turner said development land was in short supply and property prices were at a premium in the district due to the high percentage of second homes, the large number of people retiring to the area, Exmoor National Park Authority's strict planning regulations and the special protection given to the Quantock Hills AONB.

"When it comes to local average earnings the district lacks industry largely due to poor transport links making tourism, which is often low paid and seasonal, the largest employment sector.

"These are significant factors in showing why it is so hard to provide affordable housing in West Somerset, yet even more important in demonstrating why it is so badly needed by local people who wish for nothing more than the ability to afford a home in their community, whether a small village or large town," Cllr Turner said.

He said the two developments approved last Thursday were much needed and the district council, working in partnership with an Affordable Housing Group, aimed to provide 54 affordable homes to meet identified need this year alone.

He said the group was always keen to find new development sites in West Somerset and details could be given to the council's housing enabler, Heather Crockford, on 01643 703704.