FAILURE to build affordable homes in the countryside will blight job creation in rural Worcestershire, landowners have warned.

In the wake of the fuel crisis, the Country Landowners' Association is urging the Government and Worcestershire County Council to adopt positive policies to boost housing stocks in the countryside.

The lobby group claims an influx of affordable housing is vital to rebuilding and securing rural economic, social and environmental well-being.

It wants Ministers to relax capital gains rules to help re-investment in community housing projects and ease agricultural occupancy restrictions to tackle a "serious shortage" of rural dwellings and help farmers with diversification projects.

CLA leaders have also told the county's planning authorities to agree a clear definition of "affordable" and be more focused on overcoming obstacles to planning permission.

"The CLA has called for local surveys to be carried to determine specific housing need in rural areas," said Geoffrey Hopton, Three Counties CLA regional director.

"The importance of providing adequate housing stocks is an essential ingredient in trying to restore economic prosperity."