More low-cost housingrequired

Firms who put up developments of a minimum of 15 dwellings will be required to make three of them available for social housing.

This was agreed by Arun District Council to take effect from April 1 in line with new government planning standards.

The council's previous minimum threshold was 25 homes.

For developments of at least 25 dwellings, four out of every ten of them should be affordable, the councillors decided. This ratio could be raised or lowered for individual estates after talks with the developers.

The changes were overwhelmingly welcomed by councillors for having the potential to help residents get a home of their own.

Council members also welcomed the actions of Arun's leader, Cllr Gill Brown, in writing to government housing minister Yvette Cooper to seek her help in boosting the amount of housing which can be provided for those unable to pay the full price in a district notorious for low wages.