THERE'S a "pressing need" for affordable housing in rural Monmouthshire as families are unable to find a home in the community in which they grew up.

At a meeting of the Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet it was revealed that people aged between 20 to 39 are 'under represented' when compared to the national average. The council now want to widen the use of its rural allocation policy to provide affordable housing for local people to help sustain local communities.

However, the report, which includes all housing other than areas in the main settlement of Abergavenny, Llanfoist, Chepstow, Monmouth, Magor and Undy, secondary settlements of Usk, Goytre and Rogiet and Gilwern, was met with some criticism from councillors and even members of the cabinet.

Leader, Councillor Peter Fox said, "We have to welcome anything that helps local young people or residents to stay within their community. Sadly we have seen too often in Monmouthshire where the fabric of the community changes as a lot of people have to move out. They can't afford houses in local areas. That's a shame."

Cabinet member Councillor Phillip Murphy said he welcomed the report, "For people growing up in the smaller communities their needs will be looked at first. It's very good for farm workers who have children in the family and should help to keep the countryside together."

Cabinet member, Councillor Giles Howard said, "It's a great news story but my disappointment is that Gilwern is not a part of that. I lived in a rural area all my life and watched a lot of young people drift away from where they lived. I think it's sad because we need to help families stick together. Grandparents can look after grandchildren when their parents go to work, everyone helps out - it's the way a community should be. I am a big fan of affordable housing."

Cabinet member, Councillor Bryan Jones said, "I take the same issue as Councillor Howard. Why are Usk and Goytre being treated differently to other villages - Raglan is not even mentioned.

"I am not happy about it. I am glad it's coming back in 12 months for us to have a look again and I regret that I will be unable to support it."

Councillor Simon Howarth said he was astounded that Gilwern wasn't on the list.

He said, "My area has a need of more than 70. I know that the Local Development Plan (LDP) has gone into draft. In Gilwern we have two sites for housing for the next 15 years. I can't agree with it. I am bamboozled. It's is a back to front policy. People in Gilwern will not be able to get on the property ladder."

Cabinet member, Councillor Geoff Burrows said he understood the alternative view and admitted there were 'areas of concern' where fine tuning was needed but said it was important to get the scheme moving.

The report states: "There's a pressing need for affordable housing in Monmouthshire as house prices are high in relation to earnings. It's envisaged that around 160 rural affordable homes will be delivered in the plan period 2011 - 2021. Although these homes will only be allocated to households who meet the criteria of the Rural Allocations Policy, there are also around 754 affordable homes planned for that period where there will be no such restriction on allocation.

Members voted in favour of the report. Councillor Jones and Howard abstained.