A PREDICTED boom in the numbers of pensioners in the Ribble Valley has led to fears of a housing shortage.

Council chiefs have projected that the ageing population in the borough will rise by 49 per cent from 1,400 aged over 85 today to around 2,086 in the next 15 years.

Now changes to the council’s housing policy are being considered to ensure that there is sufficient accommodation for the elderly in the future.

A report entitled, Adressing Housing Need in Ribble Valley, has been discussed by councillors at a Health and Housing Committee meeting.

Rachel Stott, from the Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: “The market has not met the housing needs of this age group.”

She said that a policy change was therefore needed which would see any new developments consisting of more than 30 properties having to provide 15 per cent of their space for accommodation for the elderly.

Ms Stott, added: “All elderly accommodation would be secured through a Section 106 Agreement which would require units to be sold to households with a member over 60 years old and with a local connection.”

For example on a development of 60 homes, 30 per cent of the site or 18 properties would have to be affordable.

Of the 18 properties, 14 would have to be affordable for general need and four would be affordable for the elderly.

In addition, developers would be required to sell another four properties to elderly people at market value with the remaining 38 going on general sale.

Coun Ken Hind, senior vice chairman of Ribble Valley Conservatives, has backed the council measures.

He said: “The growth should focus on the ageing population of the Ribble Valley with a view to expanding the number of sheltered homes both in the affordable and private sector.

“The other priority should be to providing starter homes for young people entering into the housing market and people on low incomes.

“This will give young people a start on the housing ladder and enable them to remain in the villages and areas where they were raised.”