A GOVERNMENT planning inspector has given his blessing to a plan by Kennet District Council which seeks to reserve far more new housing for lower paid people.

Under new rules set out in the local replacement plan, up to half the new homes built in the district will have to be either subsidised housing or low- cost housing.

The new rules depend on the size of the development site and are at their strictest in villages where 50 per cent affordable housing will be sought on any site for two or more homes.

This reflects government advice in the rural white paper of November 2000 and the continuing problem of high property values and low incomes.

Kennet is believed to be one of the first districts to get backing for this policy.

Inspector Robin Muers praises the thorough public consultation evident in the plan's preparation, which means it shows a good understanding both of local opinion and the views of other interested parties.

He describes Kennet's justification for a target of 1375 subsidised homes over the period 2000 to 2011 as 'a pragmatic approach which I commend'.

Kennet's leader, Chris Humphries said: "It is most gratifying that the inspector clearly recognises the problems many Kennet people face in trying to find affordable homes.

"We are doing our level best to address these problems and prevent Kennet becoming a rural enclave for just the privileged few.

"We share the approach of some of the big city authorities - making the planning system work as well as it can for local communities."