A NEW scheme to create affordable housing in rural communities could halt the "devastating" migration of young first-time house buyers from Monmouthshire villages.

The pilot project, the first in Wales, seeks to ensure young people and newly-weds are not forced from their communities because they cannot afford to buy a home.

Rural Housing Enablers are common in England and the partnership which will fund and manage the scheme in Wales includes the Assembly, Monmouthshire county council and housing associations.

Housing Enabler Rhidian Jones, from Wyllie, near Blackwood, has the task of liaising with 25 community councils to identify specific housing needs, co-ordinate surveys and compile databases of land with the potential for development.

His patch includes areas of north Monmouthshire as well as south Powys.

Mr Jones said: "House prices in many villages are now often way beyond the reach of local people, especially youngsters who might otherwise stay there. This applies to rent levels as well as purchase prices.

"As a result, people are forced to move away in search of something cheaper. This can lead to the closure of local pubs,shops, schools and other facilities which, in turn, means there are even fewer local jobs.

"It's a vicious circle which is having a devastating impact on our rural communities."

As an independent broker Mr Jones believes he can overcome some of the obstacles which prevent the provision of affordable homes.

Monmouthshire's leader, David Waring, said the scheme could prove vital in helping solve what he described as "an important issue" in the county.

He said: "Only this week I received a letter from an Abergavenny mother whose son and his fiancee, both professionals in their mid-twenties, still live with her because they cannot afford to buy.

"She pleaded with me to ensure the flats being built on the cattle market site would be accessible to young people.

"We now endorse a policy that wherever we build accommodation, 20 per cent of it must be affordable. We must retain young people who are the future of our communities."