NEW homes may be built in a bid to tackle the affordable housing crisis in and around Minchinhampton after a survey of residents revealed an overwhelming demand.

Over 90 per cent of respondents from Minchinhampton, Amberley, Box and Brimscombe said their communities would benefit from more cheap housing.

Based on the survey results, Minchinhampton Parish Council and Stroud District Council have decided that 12 new affordable houses are needed.

Options being considered include shared housing schemes - in which the council and buyer both own part of the property, building on land where developments are normally forbidden, low cost loans and providing more council-owned rented accommodation.

These are being discussed with residents and housing organisations, and possible building sites are being identified.

But the survey may not reveal the true extent of demand, as only 154 people responded, despite the fact that it was posted out to 2,000 households.

"There is always a shortage of housing in any village and obviously house prices are a massive part of it," said Sinead Barker, housing enabler for Gloucestershire Rural Community Council, which is working on the project.

"The next thing to do is to look for land.

But she added that the response to the survey had been disappointing.

"Most surveys get a response of anything between 25 and 50 per cent," she said. "This is the lowest I have ever seen."

Minchinhampton Parish Council is expected to make a decision on the course of action to be taken at their planning meeting on Monday, September 12.