HOUSING chiefs have welcomed plans for 24 new affordable homes in the Ribble Valley.

Developer Darwen Estates has submitted an application for 16 bungalows and eight three-bed houses in Langho.

Earlier this month homeless charity Shelter revealed that the waiting list for affordable homes in the area stands at 840 with the list taking up to 13 years to clear.

The charity demanded the Government made housing a priority, with Ribble Valley Council hamstrung by poor funding, making it difficult to provide new homes.

Now, Frank Duffin of the Tockholes-based developers, is proposing to build the new homes on land bordering Petre House Farm in Whalley Road.

He said: “There is a huge issue surrounding property in the Ribble Valley and we are doing our best to comply with the council’s remit for affordable homes. If we get the go-ahead these houses will go to local people at reasonable prices and hopefully should create movement in the housing market.”

In May this year, housing chiefs at the council came under fire after it was claimed that just 84 affordable homes had been built in the Ribble Valley since 2003, well short of Government-set targets.

Stuart Hirst, Ribble Valley councillor with responsibility for housing, said: “I welcome any initiative that provides more affordable homes within the borough.

“We want to facilitate as many affordable units as possible as there is a great need for them and it is growing because of the high prices and the economic situation.”

In August, the council slashed the number of affordable homes required for new developments in the area.

Council bosses said the requirement for 51 per cent of houses to be made available at cheaper rates to help people get on the housing ladder had proved unworkable.

The new guidelines meant developments in the Ribble Valley would need to have a minimum of 20 per cent.

Most recent figures showed the average house price in the Ribble Valley was continuing to rise, and is now £260,000.