THE need for affordable housing in rural North Yorkshire is increasing as more and more local shops and pubs are forced to close, a group of housing officers have told MPs.

Members of the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enablers (RHE) network have lobbied local MPs saying that additional government cash must be pumped into the area to provide low cost housing to keep young people in the communities they grew up in.

Hambleton District Council’s RHE, Amanda Madden, said the provision of local homes in rural communities can play a key role in the economy of a village.

"It can keep local services and facilities operating – many of them employ local people and act as the hub of the village," she said.

"Many young people and lower income earners cannot afford to live in rural parts of North Yorkshire – it is becoming the preserve of the wealthy."

The National Housing Federation, the British Beer and Pub Association and the Rural Shops Alliance last week warned that 650 village pubs and 400 shops will close in the next year and blamed the ‘chronic shortage’ of affordable homes.

In North Yorkshire there are currently 12,400 people on the waiting list for affordable housing, although it is believed the true number that need help is much higher.