Weymouth and Portland finished well below its annual target figures for affordable homes.

Figures for the three months to the end of March show just 11 homes delivered – compared to 86 over the same period in West Dorset.

Weymouth and Portland only registered 13 affordable homes in the full year – compared to its target of between 50 and 65. West Dorset exceeded its 70-100 home target, with 131 affordable homes during the year.

But housing officers say the Weymouth and Portland total will shortly improve with delays accounting for the low number at the end of the 2017-18 financial year.

Schemes expected to be completed soon in the borough include seven homes on the Pemberley development, three at the Waverley Arms and 29 at Curtis Field.

There are also 21 shared ownerships homes under construction at Osprey Quay.

Borough council housing spokesman Cllr Gill Taylor said it was disappointing that it appeared the borough was so far off its target, but delays in a number of projects had meant they missed the end of financial year deadline.

“The figure is dismally low but I would say that very soon the numbers will begin to look a lot better…

“Whichever way you look at it I am bound to say that we do need a lot more affordable homes in the borough. The trouble with housing is that there is almost never a quick fix.”

Cllr Taylor said she was hoping that a number of smaller sites, some owned by the council, others in private ownerships, could be released in the coming year for affordable schemes, including a site off Radipole Lane which is currently classed as an employment site, but, she argues, should be re-classified for housing.

“There are sewer pipes running under the site, which makes it difficult for employment use, but would help for a housing scheme.” she said.

Officers have been looking site by site, both in Weymouth and Portland, and in West Dorset and North Dorset, to identify sites for affordable housing projects.

In Weymouth and Portland the council is hoping to encourage the use of small to medium sites, to not only make best use of vacant plots, but to also encourage and promote jobs for local builders.