A SURVEY into the availability of affordable housing in Frodsham was top of the agenda at the latest meeting of the town council.

Toni Burke, Vale Royal housing strategy and regeneration manager, and her colleague Emma Kitson addressed fellow councillors at Frodsham Community Centre, Fluin Lane, last Tuesday.

The speakers asked the council to back a move to conduct a local housing needs assessment by delivering a questionnaire to town households, to establish how many parish residents are currently living in unsuitable accommodation.

Toni Burke referred to a similar survey carried out in Tarporley, which received a 75 per cent response rate from more than 1,200 households.

Now she wants to conduct the research in Frodsham but Clr Graham Bondi expressed concerns that the new housing could lead to the loss of green belt land.

He said: "We must ensure that housing is a need rather than a want."

Councillors voted to take part in the local survey to determine potential sites for housing requirements and future property sale and rental prices. Vale Royal housing strategy will also assess council tax forms.

Three types of housing would be established, namely social rented housing with landlord supervision, shared ownership with council, and also options to buy property at an agreed discounted price.

Clr Brian Lloyd suggested the lack of homeless facilities in the town also needed addressed.

Affordable housing issues will be on next month's agenda.