HIGH property prices in Haslemere which lock most young people out of the housing market are fuelling the acute need for more low cost homes.

Founded to provide the affordable housing the town needs, Haslemere Community Land Trust is now fully incorporated under the auspices of the Financial Conduct Authority.

In a progress update to the town council, trust chairman Paul Bagshaw and members reported the group now has six directors, with backgrounds in business, accountancy, marketing, journalism, systems and the law, and 83 members with a wide range of skills.

Mr Bagshaw said: “We regard the town and surrounding areas Fernhurst, Grayswood and Hindhead as our field of operations, and we have established relationships with housing officials in Chichester, Godalming and Winchester.

“Until recently we had been in lengthy talks with Three Counties Church over the possible acquisition of their disused building in King’s Road, but unfortunately the deal fell through.

“Our developed relationship with the church did not suffer – it was nobody’s fault.

“We have other irons in the fire but we need the support of the community and, of course, the town council.”

Responses to a housing needs survey conducted by the trust last summer revealed half of those responding did not feel their housing needs were being met and half of those were privately renting.

A resounding 83 per cent of respondents supported the trust’s aspirations to provide small local developments of homes and even more – 91 per cent – were keen to see the conversion of unused buildings to housing units.

Waverley house prices are 13.7 times the average salary.