A SHORTAGE of land to build new properties in Monmouthshire has raised concerns among councillors.

A report to Monmouthshire County Council - which has a target of building 488 homes a year - said due to the “slower progression of housing sites” more locations are needed. The council is preparing an Local Development Plan (LDP) review report, which could be ready by December this year.

If the report is backed then there will be draft LDP for consultation. The Monmouthshire Local Development Plan annual monitoring report states when the council adopted the LDP in February 2014 a target of building 488 homes was set.

However, only 667 properties have been completed over the past three years.

In a meeting with the economy and development select committee yesterday (THURS) head of planning Mark Hando said the lack of housing - and land to build said housing - is a concern.

He said: “In terms of completions there are only 238 completions which is both market housing and affordable.

“We are significantly below the target. What we need to be achieving at the moment is 488 completions a year but we are currently on 238 this year.

“This is a similar pattern to previous years and historically we have never been anywhere near 488. It’s a challenging target in the first place, there’s all kinds of reasons why the sites are not coming forward as quickly as we’d like – many of which are beyond our control.”

During the meeting councillors spoke out about how the issue of the Severn Bridge tolls being scrapped may bring in more people looking for affordable housing in areas such as Chepstow.

Closing the meeting, chief officer for regeneration and culture at Monmouthshire council Kellie Beirne said there needs to be an outline plan for the future of Monmouthshire as a county.

She said: “We need to start thinking about our county and how it will serve in the future. Do we need to start thinking about what it takes to keep our young people?”

Ms Beirne will host a workshop called The Future Monmouthshire next month on October 12. It is for county councillors and officers and aim to build “sustainable and resilient communities”. There will also be future workshops announced for the public.