ANYONE building a single home in Wychavon could have to pay the council 40 per cent of the value of the site towards affordable housing.

The idea is part of new proposals which, if approved, would also see planners demanding developers increase the amount of affordable and low cost housing they must provide.

However, the plan was criticised by some councillors who said it would adversely affect the building trade.

At a meeting of the development control committee, Coun Ron Davies said the plan would have an adverse effect on the building industry at an already bad time.

He said: "You will probably succeed in stopping building in this area completely. 40 per cent will be disastrous."

"It's going to make this council look absolutely silly and non-commercial."

In Wychavon, where the population is more than 3,000, a developer building 0.5 hectares or more than 15 dwellings must agree that 30 per cent of them will be affordable.

In areas of less than 3,000 people, the threshold is 0.25 hectares or more than seven dwellings.

If the new proposals go ahead, in Droitwich, Pershore and Evesham, 40 per cent of a site measuring 0.17 hectares or more or including five dwellings would have to be affordable. For all other parts of Wychavon, the threshold would be 0.15 hectares or three dwellings. However, in a new move, any individual wanting to build under those thresholds, even if it was a single home, would have to pay 40 per cent of the site's market value which would then go towards building affordable homes off site.

However, demolishing one home and replacing it with a like-for-like building would be exempt.

Coun Davies suggested the proposal should be shelved for six months Coun Pam Davey agreed saying the plan would force prices higher and lead to less affordable homes being available.

However, Coun Judy Pearce said: "In asking for this you are only doing what people have told us needs to be done.

"The majority of districts ask for 40 per cent and some 50 per cent or more." Coun Margaret Rowley called the plan absolutely essential.

Councillors agreed to recommend to the executive board that the proposal was put out to consultation.

Worcester City Council requires developers of 12 or more dwellings to provide 40 per cent affordable homes.

Malvern Hill District Council asks for developers of sites of 5,000 square meters or more, or 15 dwellings, within the town to provide 50 per cent affordable.

The threshold for the rest of the district is 50 per cent affordable homes per 2,000 square meters or more, or five dwellings.