LIBERAL Democrat Councillors in the South West of the County have criticised Connexus Housing Association for putting more affordable properties up for sale rather than refurbishing them to let.

“Whilst I accept that to bring these properties up to standard may be costly, disposal decisions are eroding the available social housing stock in this area where there is significant demand,” said Ruth Houghton, Shropshire councillor for Bishops Castle.

“I receive emails every single week from people in housing need. New builds are limited and reinvesting the proceeds elsewhere in Shropshire does nothing to help people living in rural areas.”

The latest tranche of proposed disposals includes properties in Lydbury North, Lydham and Clun and it comes on top of the decision to dispose of Bank House in Bishops Castle.

Nigel Hartin, Shropshire Councillor for Clun, says that the loss of affordable housing has been going on for a long time.

“This steady erosion in the number of affordable homes rented by this housing association and its predecessor in rural Shropshire has been going on for years,” said Mr Hartin.

“Although Housing Associations were originally set up to provide affordable homes for communities, they seem to have lost interest in providing affordable homes for residents of our part of the world.

“Many of these properties have been left empty for over a year before being added to the disposal list.”

Ms Houghton said the she along with Mr Hartin and coucillor Heather Kidd have been raising their concerns with the Housing Association.

“We have a serious affordable homes shortage in the Clun and Bishops Castle areas made worse by Natural England enacting a stop on house building because of the amount of phosphates going into our rivers,” she added.

“I would strongly urge Connexus to reconsider selling these properties and instead refurbish them for rent.

“If they have to be sold then the sale should be limited to local people and not put up for auction in London as they tried with a property a few years ago.”