THE difficulty of finding affordable accommodation in Hertfordshire was highlighted by county councillors at a meeting on Tuesday, when they called for changes in the Government's planning system.

Councillors at the environment committee called for more money to be made available for housing which people on low incomes can afford.

The call has come in response to the Government's proposals on national housing published in its Quality and Choice: A Decent Home for All document.

The committee has called for three changes in current Government policy. These are:

A change in law to allow councils to start negotiating for affordable housing in new developments of less than 25 homes - currently it can only negotiate on larger developments.

An increase in the amount of government cash available for affordable housing.

A change in the definition of affordable housing to mean it can only be provided as subsidised housing by registered landlords, such as housing associations, for local people in housing need. Currently affordable housing can be provided by the private sector.

At the moment, 17 per cent of homes built in Hertfordshire are designed for low income buyers but planning experts believe between 25 per cent and 44 per cent of new homes should be affordable.

Environment committee chairman Councillor Mrs Jane Pitman said: 'We have made repeated calls on the Government to look again at how the country can build more affordable homes.

'We now have a golden opportunity to put into place a system backed up by cash, to meet the housing needs of people on lower incomes.

'Let us hope the Government listens to what councils are telling them.'