BNP cashes in on housing crisis to win South-east council seats

Anger at a lack of affordable housing helped the British National Party gain a foothold in south-east England, the leader of Epping Forest council has said.

The far-right party won three seats on the council in last week's local election.

Successful BNP candidate Patricia Richardson said: "Housing was raised when we were canvassing. People had been told they had to wait too long and there was what we called inappropriate placement. We promised to try to do something about it."

  Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Heavens said the BNP capitalised on anger at rising house prices and spiralling waiting lists, and a misconception that asylum seekers and migrants were jumping to the front of the queue. He said: "There's a rumour flying around that asylum seekers and migrants are getting the housing. I don't know if the BNP started it or if they're riding on the back of it."

Only 1% of residents in the Essex borough come from minority-ethnic communities.

Heavens said young adults living with their parents on the Debden estate, where the party won its seats, were having to wait five or six years to get their own council house.

This is because Epping Forest needs to build an extra 600 affordable homes each year, but is only building about 100.

Heavens said: "Epping Forest is an interface between a lot of people who have a lot of money and a lot of people on low incomes.

"Some 60% of our working population commutes to the capital and lives in very prosperous housing."

Development in the heart of the Thames Gateway could be held up by the newly elected Conservative leaders of Thurrock council.

The Conservatives were unavailable for comment but are widely expected to oppose the development of up to 25,000 new homes in Thurrock, Essex, as they did in opposition.

They could also challenge the Labour-dominated urban development corporation, a government-appointed body that controls building in the area.

There are four councillors on the UDC board but they are all Labour. The Conservatives are likely to end this monopoly when the councillors' terms come up for renewal.