MORE than 20 locations in Cheddar have been chosen as potential sites to build affordable homes. A working group of three parish councillors and a planning officer from Sedgemoor District Council earmarked the sites on a map. The district council is now c

MORE than 20 locations in Cheddar have been chosen as potential sites to build affordable homes.A working group of three parish councillors and a planning officer from Sedgemoor District Council earmarked the sites on a map.The district council is now carrying out fast-tracked checks on the suitability of the sites before approaching the landowners.Housing experts say Cheddar's average house prices are significantly higher than the district average of £175,000 and young people cannot afford to live there.Four people from the village have approached Sedgemoor planning officers with land that affordable housing could be built on.Sedgemoor's strategic planning officer Duncan Harvey said: "Some of the parcels of land that have been suggested could take 30 to 40 homes if they meet planning requirements."We're looking at smaller properties above shops or homes that are empty in Cheddar as well as big spaces of empty land. "We hope to be able to approach landowners in the next few weeks and then contact potential developers."There are currently 410 people who want to live in the village on the district council's housing waiting list.The authority has a target of 880 new affordable homes to be built across the district before 2011 and has identified a need for 83 new properties in Cheddar.District and parish councillor Jeff Savage said: "I'm determined to get some affordable housing in the village and I'm confident we can do it."We've highlighted pieces of land that are outside of Cheddar and other small pockets that are within Cheddar. "This is housing that allows young families who have grown up in Cheddar to stay in the village and not have to move elsewhere."Affordable housing includes cheap properties, housing association homes and various rent-lease schemes.