WEST Somerset residents took part in a high profile meeting on Friday to discuss the future of community housing in the district.

They were joined by local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, West Somerset District Council officers and members, parish and town councillors, together with representatives from housing associations, the police, Exmoor National Park Authority and a range of other organisations.

The aim was to let people know what was planned for the district over the next three years and to explain how the various groups would be working together to achieve those aims.

The district council's portfolio holder for housing, Cllr Jenny David, led the meeting, while Mr Liddell-Grainger was asked to put a political perspective on proceedings.

He said community housing was important for West Somerset but it was vital the issues were considered within the wider picture.

He explained: "This means we must consider issues such as the availability and provision of doctors' surgeries, schools, transport, roads and all the other things so that people can move and get to where there is employment.

"In West Somerset resources are pitifully lacking and so, while community housing is important, it must be taken in conjunction with the bigger picture."

Other speakers at the meeting included Justin Roxburgh and Samantha Lawrence of the West Somerset Rural Housing Association and Martin Daly of Magna West Somerset Housing Association.

Their presentations on developing housing in rural areas were followed by a question and answer session led by the district council's principal housing officer, Mukhtar Ali.

He told the meeting one of the main priorities of the council was to promote the security and well-being of West Somerset residents, with the emphasis on housing need.

Cllr David said the meeting had been part of a wider consultation on the council's current housing strategy for 2002-05.

She said: "It was a great opportunity for residents to not only hear about what was going on, but also to ask searching questions of the panel, enabling us to make some positive moves to provide homes for those in need.

"There were around 60 partner organisations represented at the meeting and I am hopeful that most aspects of community housing were covered."