WEST Wiltshire District Council has been forced to estimate how many social houses it will lose if tough economic conditions prevent developers from delivering on their promises.

Whenever developers are given permission to build in west Wiltshire they normally agree to include a set number of affordable homes within the wider plans.

At a district council scrutiny committee meeting last Wednesday Cllr Jeff Osborn prompted a debate on the issue.

Speaking after the meeting he said: "In the light of all the credit crunch and general economic slowdown and with many developments sites still undeveloped, how many potential affordable houses are either on ice or never likely to materialise?

"The district council I believe has not fully anticipated the likely consequences of this downturn and needs to revise its expectations as to how many social houses will be provided in the area.

"If they worked out how bad it could be we could concentrate on lobbying central Government for more money."

The committee agreed that the cabinet member responsible for housing Cllr Virginia Fortescue would liaise with council officers to work out the potential shortfall of social houses and look into lobbying the Government for more cash.

Cllr Osborn said: "This is a pressing issue for local residents, many of whom have come to me concerned about re-possessions and social housing issues."