A PURBECK housing chief says recent government planning changes could make it harder for affordable homes to be built locally.

Cllr Mike Lovell, housing and development spokesman for Purbeck District Council, has criticised the government’s decision to scrap housing companies’ contributions on small developments.

This ruling, that came into force at the end of November, means the district council can no longer require contributions towards affordable housing, either financial or actual houses, from developments of ten houses or less.

Cllr Lovell, who points out housing developments in Purbeck are often small, added: “This new policy removes a large number of potential affordable houses.”

The government policy does include an exemption for rural housing sites, where councils will be able to command contributions towards affordable housing from developments between six and 10 houses. However, Purbeck District Council says this will not come into effect within the district until 2017.

“Additionally,” said Cllr Lovell, “the district council will not be able to implement this policy for rural areas until it completes its review of the Purbeck Local Plan in 2017.”

This means no contributions will be payable on any development within Purbeck of fewer than 11 houses for more than two years.

Cllr Lovell said: “Affordable housing for young people and families is crucial to the future of our communities. Many people are struggling to afford a home so this news is very disappointing.”

He added: “Whilst this will not be good news for the delivery of much-needed affordable housing in the district, it may help to stimulate the development of market housing locally.”