A major new housing study has revealed that thousands of affordable homes are needed across North Yorkshire.

The study looked at all aspects of housing need across the county for the next five years and it concluded that just short of 3,000 affordable homes were needed every year to meet need.

The study, the result of a questionnaire sent to householders, also revealed the average cost of a house in the country was £250,000 to £40,000 more than across North Yorkshire as a whole.

The first ever North Yorkshire Strategic Market Assessment commissioned by the North Yorkshire Strategic Housing Partnership will now be used to shape housing policies across the county.

Its findings will also support the Local Plans of Action – the planning blueprints of each of the district authorities, including Craven, The report also confirms the challenges of providing homes for North Yorkshire’s ageing population, with older people currently living in larger homes and finding it difficult to downsize, and the problems of many young families struggling to enter the housing market.

Coun Richard Foster, chairman of the Local Government North Yorkshire and York Housing Board, said housing markets and communities’ housing aspirations did not follow local council boundaries.

“This study will help us to understand what type of housing North Yorkshire people require now and in the future, so we can plan properly to meet that need,” he said.

“We will use the research findings to make sure that we get our housing plans and planning decisions in our local areas right.”

The study was based on a survey of householders in Craven and the Yorkshire Dales National Park, as well as other parts of the county.

Other key points of the study were: l A shortfall of one and two bedroom homes and four or more bedroom homes.

l Average house prices in rural areas were £250,000 – £40,000 more than the county average.

l Affordability was a big issue for rural dwellers.

l High house prices continue to make it difficult for lower income families to buy a home.

l Almost 40 per cent of older people want to downsize.

l The private rented sector is important for young single people.

l The population is expected to grow increasingly older, especially in the numbers of single and couple households.

l A greater number of households are expected to have support needs over the longer term, because people are living to an older age.

l The county’s population has risen by 5.7 per cent since 2001, with the greatest growth being in York, Selby and Harrogate.