A FURTHER 3,000 affordable homes could be built in part of Somerset over the next decade as the local council tries to get a grip on the housing crisis.

Sedgemoor District Council has published a new housing strategy, laying out how many new homes will have to be delivered across the district between now and 2027.

As part of the strategy, the council has pledged to deliver 150 affordable homes every year throughout this period, and will utilise funding from the Hinkley Point C power station to bring forward new sites.

The district’s population is predicted to rise by up to 12 per cent by 2032.

The strategy was discussed by the council’s joint overview and scrutiny committee meeting at a meeting held in Bridgwater on Monday afternoon (January 7).

The council said it would work with developers and landowners to identify new sites and ensure that commitments to affordable housing in these locations were met.

A spokesperson said: “We aim to have 3,000 affordable units delivered by 2027 – 150 per annum.

“We aim to deliver 20 per cent ‘social rented’ homes in high value areas of the district.

“Our priorities are to maximise the number of affordable homes and provide more affordable homes to support rural economies and communities.”

Sedgemoor currently has a total of 48,801 properties, of which 12.2 per cent are affordable rent (equivalent to 5,954 dwellings).

A further 16 per cent (equivalent to 7,808 homes) are privately rented, with most of the remainder being owner-occupied.

Duncan Harvey, the council’s housing development manager, said 644 new homes were needed in the district each year – just under two per day – to meet the government’s targets of 300,000 homes a year across the UK.

He said: “We have a number of concerns going forward, including the land control of big house builders, labour or material shortages, and the pace of delivery.”

Mr Harvey said that money from the construction of Hinkley Point C would be used to construct new affordable homes at eight sites – of which seven are in and around Bridgwater.

He said: “We will be building 136 affordable homes from EDF money – 163 homes in total when market housing is included.”

Councillor Mark Healey welcomed the strategy and called for modular housing to be promoted across the district, stating: “I think it does mark the way forward.”

Councillor Mick Lerry, who represents the Bridgwater Victoria ward, said building more homes would lead to improved amenities for local residents.

He said: “If we put the houses in first, the government will come forward with the services we want there.”

The council’s local plan, which details how many homes will be delivered and where until 2032, is expected to be ratified in February.