WAITING lists for housing will give greater priority to applicants with a local connection from now on.

Malvern Hills District Council has agreed to change the "points" system under which homes are offered to people on housing lists in the district.

The decision was provoked by a report on rural housing by University College, Worcester.

The report showed that affordable housing schemes could help to sustain village life and highlighted the reduction in the availability of rented housing in rural areas.

The council's new rural lettings policy focuses on the applicant's connection with the surrounding area for which the housing has been developed.

This will help people to remain or return to a locality with which they have a connection, relating to current or past residence, family connections or employment.

MHDC has also agreed "in principle" to give approval to the development of a Common Housing Waiting List to avoid the need for applicants to complete multiple applications.