Plans to build up to 38 affordable homes in rural parts of Shropshire could be shelved or even scrapped after a community land trust revealed it is losing grant funding from the Government at the end of this month.
Land for People is a not-for-profit organisation, which helps communities across the county to acquire rural land for housing development.
But Jonathan Brown, director organisation, said it was losing its £50,000 funding to pay for a full-time development officer following budget cuts by Defra.
He said a number of schemes including plans to to build 20 affordable homes in Highley, Bridgnorth, six in Onibury and 12 in Wem could now be shelved because of the decision.
It comes only days after comments made by the Government’s rural advocate Dr Stuart Burgess who said rural communities in the county must provide more affordable housing and a centre providing key services if they are to survive.
But Mr Brown said the Government’s decision to stop the two-year funding programme meant hopes of achieving long-term projects could now be in jeopardy.
He has now written to Gordon Brown demanding something is done. The letter says: “Over the past year we have shown that there is a lot of interest in Shropshire for this community-led approach to getting more affordable homes built.
“This is a frustrating time for us, having to end the employment of our project worker in Shropshire, just as the first scheme is ready to go for planning permission.”
By Russell Roberts
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