AFFORDABLE homes could be built in Axbridge after talks have been held about the shortage of cheap homes. The discussions between the town council and rural housing advisors were made after councillors wanted more information on housing. The recent parish

AFFORDABLE homes could be built in Axbridge after talks have been held about the shortage of cheap homes.The discussions between the town council and rural housing advisors were made after councillors wanted more information on housing.The recent parish plan showed there was a lack of knowledge on the town's housing resources.The town council now wants a survey to find out if there is a need for affordable housing. The move could pave the way for building plans as it has done in Cheddar and Wedmore.Mayor Barry Hamblin said: "House prices are expensive across the whole country and there seems to be a need for affordable housing everywhere. We've found from the housing section of the parish plan that we don't know enough about housing in the town and people's needs."Rather than just go and shoot from the hip we will be looking for hard facts and seeing what a survey reveals."Felix Marsh of the Community Council of Somerset, said: "The size and population of Axbridge when compared to Cheddar and Wedmore shows that there's always going to be a need for affordable housing."There are plans to carry out the needs survey by Christmas, but this will realistically be next Spring. At the moment nothing formal has been set up, but we have had some discussions with the council."Sedgemoor has a target of 880 new affordable homes to be built across the district before 2011.Housing needs surveys have been carried out in Cheddar and Wedmore.Around 20 sites within and on Cheddar's boundary have been looked at by planning officers at Sedgemoor to build affordable homes on after 83 homes are estimated to be needed for the village.