TIDENHAM councillor Gethyn Davies believes modern prefabricated houses could help solve the local housing shortage.

The no-group Conservative councillor says many developers lack the will to build affordable housing in the Forest of Dean because it affects their profit margins.

To remedy this shortfall he believes advances in construction technology make prefabricated houses an ideal solution to plug the affordable houses gap.

He said: “I’ve been trying to get this message across for several years. But up until now I’ve been hitting my head against a brick wall.

“Housing developers who get planning permission with affordable houses included in the scheme often return to the council asking for them to be reduced. They say they cannot afford to build them.

“These new prefabricated houses are made with modern techniques and are far superior to the ones that were built following the war.

“The council should look at this option as a way of meeting their housing requirements.”

A spokesperson for the Forest of Dean District Council confirmed that they are in talks with providers about the possibility of using prefabricated homes in the area and said that modular or off-site manufactured housing is one of the latest initiatives being looked into.