DARTMOUTH Town Council has pledged to do all it can to provide affordable and rented housing for the young and old.

At the same time, Devon and Cornwall Housing has promised to work with the town on any projects where possible.

Town councillors have agreed to set up a working group to look at land availability and try and move ideas forward.

Cllr Francis Hawke said: 'We need to all work together on a project where we can build more affordable housing or rented accommodation for the people of Dartmouth, of all ages.

'A small working group could look into possibilities and move things forward.'

It is hoped to bring different organisations such as housing associations, the county and district councils, the land trust and those interested in self build to round table talks.

Meanwhile, Mike Saltern a director with Devon and Cornwall, said the social housing provider was keen to increase its tradition of providing affordable homes in Dartmouth.

Speaking at Monday's meeting of the town council, he said the association was a key player in delivering new homes and helping to address the housing supply needs across the region.

Last year, DCH delivered 289 rented homes into management together with 143 homes into shared ownership sale, he said.

At year end, there was a further 930 rented and shared ownership homes under construction.

Mr Saltern, who is also a South Hams councillor for Ivybridge, said house prices in the region were 12 to 13 times average incomes.

The number of applicants on social housing registers continued to rise, with more than 37,000 people listed across Devon at the end of 2012-13, he told the meeting.

'So the demand is there,' he said.' And we are faced with ever reducing grant funding from the homes and communities agency.

'There was a time up until 2010 when we were receiving up to £60,000 per average dwelling. In our more recent bid it was down to £15,000.

'So, as an organisation, we have to look at different ways and different methods because the funding model through the housing communities agency is quite complex and there are conditions attached.

'And we are an organisation that has to borrow to develop and look closely at the direction we can go.'

Mr Saltern said he was aware of concerns over the West Dart development in Dartmouth.

'But I want to make it clear from the outset that we are not here to promote ourselves in relation to any site,' he said.

'The West Dart development is in someone else's ownership. We have not been approached and therefore it would be very inappropriate for us to comment on anything site specific.

'That said, if we are approached then I can give you a very firm commitment that we would consider it and that is all I can say in relation to that site.'

Mr Saltern said issues such as viability would have to be looked at.

'But what I can give you is a commitment on behalf of DCH that we have strong links with Dartmouth and we wish to keep those strong links,' he said. 'We are very proud to be in Dartmouth and we will consider anything that comes to us.'

Mayor Cllr Rob Lyon said affordable housing and finding houses to enable people to continue living and working in Dartmouth was a important issue for the town council.

'We need to make sure the population of the town is sustainable for the future,' he said.