CANDIDATES for affordable housing in a village have to earn a salary of at least £25,000 to invest.
The Broomheath Lane site in Tarvin, currently under construction, will provide five two-bedroom houses on a shared ownership basis.
It was revealed at a Tarvin Parish Council meeting that their open market value would be £199,000 but, due to their shared ownership status, are worth £155,000.
This means hopeful homeowners would need to get a mortgage for £75,000, while paying £39 a week in rent on top of mortgage repayments.
In order to do this, people would need to earn a salary of at least £25,000.
The development, by Antler Homes, also encompasses four flats which will be available for rent of £69 a week and one rental house. So far, 90 people have applied for the houses - 30 from Tarvin.
There are several other properties in the development available on an open market basis.
At the parish meeting, Cllr Roger Hones said: '£25,000 is not a starting salary in Chester. The Government is not clear when they say 'affordable'. What does that mean?
'These houses are not affordable to a vast number of young people.'
Candidates will be assessed for their suitability using a cascade system, based on links to the local community and their need for affordable housing.
Spokesperson for Muir Housing, Kate Ingram, which is co-ordinating the scheme, said: 'Shared ownership properties will be allocated in March to April 2007 and rental properties September to October 2007.
'People will be nominated on a needs basis via a Chester City Council waiting list. There will be a local emphasis with people from the parish in housing need being given priority.'
liza.williams@cheshirenews.co.uk
