At least one in five houses will have to be affordable for local people

The escalation of house prices in rural areas has led to fears that some young families are being priced out of the house market by those moving to mid Wales from other areas of the UK.

But the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has moved to help locals stay in the area by creating two new policies.

And a housing strategist believes the policies could be extended throughout the county.

This is an exciting development that has great potential for the whole county Ian Fraser

One of the policies will force developers to make at least one in five houses they build in the area within local people's reach.

The authority, which is responsible for planning issues in most of south Brecknockshire as well as parts of Monmouthshire and Carmarthenshire, also now has the power to ensure that the affordable housing provided stays so.

Agreements will be drawn up to make sure the buyers are people in need from within the community council area where the houses are built.

"After the foot-and-mouth crisis we made a commitment to do everything in our power to keep young people in the national park," said Chris Gledhill, chief executive for the park authority.

"We have listened and understood the very real concerns of residents about the lack of affordable housing and are committed to helping alleviate this problem."

A recent survey by Powys Council predicted a need for 117 affordable homes a year in the Powys area of the park.

It's feared that house prices could rise beyond the reach of local people

"This is an exciting development that has great potential for the whole county," said Ian Fraser, Powys Council's housing strategy and operations manager.

House prices in Powys could rise beyond the reach of local people in the next few years in the wake of a UK Government move to cut the number of houses built in English counties adjoining Powys.

New houses in Herefordshire and Shropshire are expected to be cut back by a third.

Mr Fraser admitted officers feared that a 'leapfrog' of housing developments from the West Midlands could force up house prices.

"It is now vitally important that the rest of Powys comes up with a robust and workable policy of affordable housing to meet local needs."

The policies will appear in the park authority's new unitary development plan, which will be published for consultation in the new year.