The National Housing Federation estimated 974,000 homes were needed between 2011 and 2014, but figures from 326 councils showed only 457,490 were built.

The figures suggest the problem is most prevalent in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

Green belt land surrounds many urban areas in the South East and accounts for 13% of the land area of England.

But in nearby towns and villages, some people may never be able to afford a home where they grew up.

Critics of the green belt said it unnecessarily restricts housing – but building on it is not a popular idea, as Charlie Rose reports.