YOUNG people desperate to get on the housing ladder in Worcestershire have been offered fresh hope - with the prospect of derelict land being ripped up in a fresh property building bonanza.

A new plan to build an extra 200,000 properties for the under-40s by 2020 has been revealed by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Under the move it would mean areas like Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon would get even more homes than the 28,370 earmarked under the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP).

Mr Cameron wants to offer developers new incentives to build affordable homes on brownfield sites like redundant factories, saying the starter-homes could be built free of expensive Section 106 agreements with councils.

Each home would then go on sale at a rate 20 per cent cheaper than market value, and be earmarked for those aged under 40 buying a first home.

Worcester MP Robin Walker said: "We do need innovate policies on housing and I think it's a very good idea fundamentally, although I do question if 200,000 will be enough.

"But it's a good start and I look forward to seeing more come out of this in the budget.

"We all want to see house building take place on brownfield land rather than greenfield sites, and while this isn't the whole solution it is part of the solution."

Young people in Worcester say they need all the help they can get to secure a first home.

Simon Crawford, 27, of Chestnut Walk, Barbourne, Worcester, said: "I never went to university and have worked in construction since I was 16, but buying a property at the genuine prices is impossible.

"That's why so many my age are still at home with their parents. If more affordable homes were around it'd help all of us."

The policy would mean local authorities like Worcester City Council go without the financial benefits from Section 106 deals, cash sweeteners which help create nearby infrastructure like play areas, in return for awarding planning permission.

But it would not apply to the SWDP, which is expected to be signed off by inspector Roger Clews later this year and will take account of the vast majority of new property building over the next 15 years.

The move by Mr Cameron follows concern of people being priced out of the housing market in Worcestershire.

We reported last year how prices had surged 12 per cent in one year, adding £23,000 to the average property value.

That included an eight per cent rise in Worcester and 12 per cent increase in Wychavon.