Residents in Shropshire are being let down by councils failing to build enough affordable homes, it was claimed today.

The Shelter Local Housing Watch has released figures from 2008-09 claiming that both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council failed to provide enough affordable homes to cope with demand.

It claims that Shropshire Council’s annual requirement of affordable homes was set at 1,585 in 2008.

In the 12 months that followed just 393 homes were planned, with only 240 of those delivered – a return of just 15 per cent.

In Telford & Wrekin, according to the figures, 910 affordable homes needed to be built in 2008 but just 152 were planned and only 87 built during the next year.

Telford & Wrekin Council today defended its position, claiming it was doing its best to meet the demand.

Councillor Eric Carter, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “Telford & Wrekin Council does not have any housing stock of its own and that is the major contributory factor to these figures.

“We are working wherever possible with private developers to bring forward affordable housing schemes.

“I would point out though that comparing every council on a like for like basis, as Shelter has done, is not particularly fair as every local authority’s circumstances in relationship to ownership of land and housing stock varies greatly.”

Shropshire Council was unavailable for comment.

A Shelter statement said: “The need for affordable housing has never been greater.

“The average price of a home in England and Wales is now £175,000 – well beyond reach for most first-time buyers. In England alone, 1.8 million households are on waiting lists for affordable housing.

“The role of councils in tackling this crisis is vital.”

The figures are backed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. CPRE spokesman Andy Boddington said: “Affordable rural housing will only work if local people see it as a necessity not an imposition.”

The figures put both councils in the bottom half of the national table with Shropshire Council 187th and Telford & Wrekin Council 252nd out of the 323 councils ranked.

By Alex James