A DEVELOPER behind plans for an 800 home estate is bidding to increase the number of part buy homes by 40 per cent because it is so difficult for house hunters to get a mortgage.

When the massive development in Abbotswood, Romsey, was granted planning permission last year it was agreed 320 of the homes should be affordable.

It meant up to ten per cent would be discounted for eligible home-hunters struggling on the housing ladder, 15 per cent part- buy and 15 per cent rented from a housing association.

But Bellway Homes, part of the Abbotswood Consortium, thinks the discounted homes will not sell because of the dire mortgage market.

Now, the firm is back before Test Valley Borough Council planners today with a plan to ditch the discount.

Instead the developer wants members of a southern area planning committee to boost the number of part-buy homes.

The scheme allows qualifying first-time buyers to buy a share and pay rent to a housing association on the remainder.

The proposal includes 800 homes, five shops, a pub, a 60-bed care home, a recycling centre, community hall, a GP/dental surgery and a children's day nursery.