RADICAL changes are being proposed to tackle South Lakeland's housing crisis.

Three thousand people are currently on the council house waiting list but the number of houses available is decreasing, leaving some in 'desperate circumstances'.

A Presentation Bill was going to be put before Parliament by South Lakes MP Tim Farron stating that local authorities should be allowed to suspend the Right to Buy Scheme in order to cling onto more social housing.

Two thirds of South Lakeland's 12,000 council houses have been sold and, while more are being built, it is feared that the Right to Buy Scheme could see them disappear into the private sector too.

But Michael Gove, chief whip for the Conservative Party, blocked the Presentation Bill on the grounds that it is against Government policy.

However, Mr Farron remains defiant, telling the Gazette: "We will keep trying to do this so that local people in South Lakeland aren't robbed of a decent place to live.

"There are 3,000 people in desperate circumstances sleeping on friends' floors in deplorable situations. We need to put the plug in this bath and not allow properties to leave through the back door."

South Lakes Housing is the main provider of affordable rented housing in South Lakeland and their chief executive, Peter Thomas, believes Right to Buy needs overhauling.

He said: "The scandal is that at the moment, as the affordability gap is widening, we are selling more homes than we can build because of the Right to Buy where tenants can now get up to £77,000 discount to purchase their home.

"While we support the principle of home ownership this policy does nothing to help the 3,500 waiting for affordable housing in our area.

"The money we receive from sales is nowhere near enough to replace them on a like-for-like basis and over half of our stock has been lost since the 1980’s.

"The policy has now had its day and it is really impacting on life in our rural communities.

"In Old Hutton, for example, we used to own 16 properties and we now have just one left.

"We therefore fully support the principle of suspending the right to buy in our area in order to safeguard the district’s affordable housing for future generations.”

Currently, any development of more than 10 properties must include 30% affordable homes but an Early Day Motion going before Parliament soon wants developments of less than 10 to include affordable homes too.

It is hoped this will stop excessive second home ownership, bring down the average house price of £250,000 and help people get on the property ladder.

"People need an affordable place to live - it will protect local families," said Tim.

This is welcomed by the chief executive of the Cumbria Youth Alliance, Cath Clarke, who said: "Access to affordable housing has long been identified as a key issue for young Cumbrians. High purchase prices and large amount of second homes rented out to holiday makers makes finding suitable accommodation challenging for young people. Often jobs are low paid and low skilled, making it difficult for young people to make a successful life for themselves in their own home."