Landowners in Pembrokeshire have been denied an opportunity to release farmland for affordable rural housing.

Landowners had been lobbying the Government to allow them to build a limited number of open-market value properties within National Parks and other restricted areas.

But the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ruled out the option this week.

The Country Land and Business Association's regional director for South Wales, Jonathan Andrews, said he was deeply disappointed that the Government had turned its back on a 'common-sense solution' to tackle the problem of affordable rural housing in areas like Pembrokeshire.

The so-called option of 'cross-subsidy' was not about landowners making a 'quick buck', he insisted.

"It is about the ability and incentive to make land available. It is about removing barriers to enable the private sector, local authorities and the voluntary sector to work together for the benefit of rural communities and the rural economy,'' he said.

"Concerns about affordable housing being sold on at a high profit are completely unfounded as such housing is designated as affordable housing in perpetuity.''

It is not the first time farmers have called for a relaxation of strict planning regulations controlling house building on Pembrokeshire farmland.

Last year the then Pembrokeshire county NFU chairman, Alan Prichard, said it was needed to halt the exodus of young people from agriculture.

Without affordable housing in rural areas like Pembrokeshire, the opportunities for young people to pursue a farming career were slim, he said.

The situation had become desperate as house prices had escalated. "Pembrokeshire is seen as a very desirable place to live. This has increased competition for housing and priced young local people out of the market place,'' said Mr Prichard.