THE Salisbury Journal's ongoing crusade for affordable housing reached a crucial turning-point this week.

With details of land for potential affordable housing development passed on to them, planning chiefs at Salisbury district council have singled out sites at Ford and Winterslow as potentially feasible.

Now we need your help in highlighting the demand for affordable housing in these two villages.

The Journal's affordable housing partner, Housing Matters Wessex, has been asked by SDC to identify a proven need for affordable housing in the two parishes.

Housing Matters Wessex director Carl Strachan said: "We are now able to focus on two sites, which, subject to proven demand, could provide the basis for development of affordable housing, thanks to the co-operation of the housing and planning departments at Salisbury district council."

Anyone who can demonstrate a need for an affordable home in Ford or Winterslow should e-mail gaetana.prassede@

salisburyjournal.co.uk, stating why a development would be beneficial to the parish and giving a brief outline of their own circumstances.

To ensure affordable housing is built for those who really need it, potential homeowners would have currently to live or previously to have lived in either village for a minimum of five years.

Key workers struggling to get on the property ladder in Salisbury might also wish to write in, explaining how they would benefit from an affordable home in either location.

If a proven need for affordable housing is established, terms could then be agreed with landowners and housing applications passed to planners.

We are also keen to hear from anyone who feels there is a demand for affordable housing in other parts of Salisbury district.

Affordable housing in Winterslow and Ford would not be social housing but low-cost units sold to local, professional people who can demonstrate an attachment to the parish and are struggling to purchase a conventional property.

The homes would be two- and three-bedroom properties built on a shared-equity basis, homeowners paying 60 or 70 per cent of the total cost towards their property and then a weekly rental of £20 to Housing Matters Wessex to cover remaining costs.

For a closer look at similar developments built by Housing Matters, visit the company's website at www.housing-matters.co.uk