The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Wales has called for help for first-time buyers as well as more share ownership and flexible mortgages.

RICS has published its Manifesto ahead of the Welsh Assembly Government and National Assembly elections later this year. The Manifesto provides recommendations on many areas of the built environment. In terms of housing, RICS Wales is recommending the relaxation of affordable housing targets to stimulate a greater supply of all housing as well as calling on additional assistance for first time buyers and more innovative solutions to assist house purchase such as shared ownership and flexible mortgages.

RICS Wales also recommends further reforms to the planning system to better encourage economic development in Wales. These include implementing the main plans laid out in the WAG/WGA Grimley report published in June 2010 and embedding economic renewal into the planning process in the same way the social and environmental factors currently are.

David Morgan, policy manager for RICS Wales, said: “With 15 policy sub-groups and expertise in the public and private sectors we are well placed to serve the widest public interest and provide support and advice wherever possible. RICS Wales is governed by a Royal Charter and as such we are committed to providing an impartial insight into property matters in Wales.