A VILLAGE library which was set to be sold off could now be turned into affordable housing. Yatton Library will soon become surplus to requirements when a new state-of-the-art library and community centre is built in High Street. North Somerset Council of

A VILLAGE library which was set to be sold off could now be turned into affordable housing.Yatton Library will soon become surplus to requirements when a new state-of-the-art library and community centre is built in High Street.North Somerset Council officers had recommended councillors sell off the current site, also in High Street, but now housing chiefs want to look at building low-cost homes.Councillors were due to vote on whether to sell the site off at a meeting of the authority's executive this week but just before the meeting, officers decided they had not had enough time to look at proposals for affordable housing.There is a high demand for affordable housing in the village and the officers do not want to miss out on a chance to provide homes for young families and older couples.Officers are also considering mixing the site with shops to try to attract people into the village. They will write a report for the next meeting of the executive in a month's time.North Somerset Councillor Isabel Cummings, who represents Yatton, said: "There is a demand for affordable homes and there always will be and I would certainly like to see some in the village, particularly for older people."I get a steady trickle of people who would like to stay in the community, and some do struggle because much of the rented accommodation is too expensive."Unfortunately there are just not enough affordable homes to go round."It is good to keep young families in the village, especially if they rely on parents and grandparents. Equally, older people often need to stay close to their families.