CALLS have been made for more affordable houses to be built across Stow and Moreton.

Liberal Democrat councillor Dilys Neill, who represents Stow, is calling on Cotswold District Council to do more to deliver low-cost housing in Stow and across the North Cotswolds.

It comes after two large assisted-living developments in Stow have been given the go ahead in the past two years with no provision in that time for homes for young people and families.

Moreton is also subject to a number of elderly care developments at present although 125 new affordable houses by Bovis Homes will be available in the town shortly.

Cllr Neill said: "The Cotswolds is a great place to live, work and visit and it’s wonderful that many people choose to retire here but there is a balance to be struck and in order to ensure we have a vibrant community we must deliver homes that people of all ages can afford.

“I want to see the Council work more closely with groups such as the Stow Community Land Trust, Stow Town Council and local affordable housing providers to deliver low cost housing, the council should also seriously consider building council housing again to address the affordability crisis.

“We’re not talking about concreting over the Cotswolds but delivering small, attractive developments that really make a difference to our community.

“The Conservatives have been running Cotswold District Council for 15 years - they pay lip service to the idea of affordable housing but as we’ve seen in Stow it continues to be all talk and no action.”

According to the National Housing Federation the average housing price in the Cotswolds is £400,000 and the average rent is £1,000.

Cllr Stephen Hirst, CDC cabinet member for housing: “We are concerned about the lack of new homes in the Stow area and we want to remedy this situation. ]

"We are seeking new sites in the knowledge that Stow remains a very sensitive and constrained location.

"Affordable housing comes forward through developer-led sites and if none come forward, or are refused planning consent, then we can’t deliver affordable housing.

"We have, however, advised Stow Town Council and the Community Land Trust on what they could do to help themselves such as looking at Stow Town Council land assets, looking at rural exception sites adjacent to the development boundary and working through their Neighbourhood Plan process and the Local Plan process.

“As regards Moreton-in-Marsh, we recently reported that over 125 new affordable homes will soon be ready for occupation. This, comprises 44 social rented units, 61 units that will be available for shared ownership and 20 that will be discounted by the developer.”