Villagers near Bridgnorth are being urged to give up any free land they have in a bid to battle a homes shortage, after a survey of affordable housing needs.

Chelmarsh Parish Council is hoping to discover what land is available for any possible future homes.

The village has just taken part in the first housing needs survey in the Bridgnorth district in order to find out people’s views on affordable housing.

The results, which could potentially shape the future of the Bridgnorth parish, split the community down the middle.

The survey was the first in a groundbreaking scheme by Bridgnorth District Council, in conjunction with parish councils, to assess the need for affordable housing in the district.

Councillor Elizabeth Yeomans, clerk of Chelmarsh Parish Council, said everything was in the very early stages. She said: “If people have spare land that they don’t use and would give up for a small number of houses, we would urge them to come forward.

“If the survey shows there is a need for housing then we would need to find somewhere to put it and try and cater for some of the demand.

“Any house that would be built would go to people in the village as this is the whole point of the scheme. The local people would benefit.”

A housing survey by the council in 2006, found 382 homes were needed each year to meet demand. In March, councillors discussed the possibility of giving away six sites across the Bridgnorth district to developers as part of the council’s bid to build nearly 400 affordable homes each year. The sites are in Bridgnorth, Much Wenlock, Highley, Alveley and two in Shifnal.