PURBECK planning chiefs are closing a loophole to help safeguard the development of more affordable housing in the district.

It will mean developers can no longer sub-divide large sites in order to avoid rules which require affordable housing to be provided as part of major developments.

A notice of motion raised by Cllr Paul Johns has been agreed by members of the planning board, allowing planning officers to investigate urgent amendments to its affordable housing supplementary planning guidance.

Cllr John Hyde said: "It's time this council got a grip, woke up and responded to a very serious shortfall of affordable housing in the district and the total absence of shared equity schemes.

"We must start to suggest to developers and those housing associations that are prepared to include shared equity within any affordable unit built and make it clear this is part of our policy.

"We keep talking and we are barely getting rented affordable housing."

Mr Hyde added: "We also need shared equity affordable housing."

Mark Sturgess, the council's head of community planning and policy, said: "We could refuse piecemeal development when we know the developer owns the whole site."

He added: "The guidance has been in existence for two years and it was compiled using the latest government advice on affordable housing at that time.

"In practice, issues have come to light with developers seeking to circumvent that policy."

He added: "If a site is being developed in a piecemeal fashion that would be a reason for refusal."

First published: May 23