The votes of 'generation rent' were in the sights of political party leaders as they sparred over who had the best policy to help under-40s priced out of the first-home market by soaring rents and housing shortages

David Cameron pledged to double to 200,000 the number of cut-price starter homes to be built under a Conservative scheme, as he set out his ambition to make home ownership 'the privilege of the many, not the preserve of a few'.

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But Labour leader Ed Miliband dismissed 'uncosted, unfunded... pie in the sky' announcements by a party that had 'betrayed' young people by failing to build even half the new homes needed.

The prime minister will offer developers the chance to build on cheaper brownfield commercial land and waiving taxes in return for a 20pc cut in the sale price.

Labour has said it will build 200,000 homes a year by 2020 and give local authorities 'use it or lose it' powers over developers who hoard land that has planning permission.

Housing minister and Norfolk MP Brandon Lewis claimed affordable homes were being built at the fastest rate for 23 years and record numbers of planning permission applications were being approved, but acknowledged: 'There is still work to do.'

Derek Player, general manager of Norwich-based homeless charity St Martin's Housing Trust, questioned if the money for starter homes for young people would be at the expense of investment in affordable rented homes.

He said the political parties needed to address all three parts of the housing sector – the private rented sector, the owner occupation sector and the social housing sector. 'We need more affordable rented homes in this country, as well as starter homes for young people,' he said.

He raised concerns that plans to axe infrastructure and affordable homes, which are currently imposed on developers, would be at the expense of everybody on the current social housing waiting list.

Under Conservative plans town halls will also to be forced to help find people seeking to build their own homes suitable brownfield sites.

Harry Clarke, Labour candidate for Mid-Norfolk said more housing that was 'appropriate and affordable' was needed, but claimed many residents were telling him they felt 'under siege' by 'large scale aggressive planned housing developments which seem to spring up overnight'.

He said an 'overall vision and strategy across the area, taking in housing, schools, GPs, transport and build real communities' was needed.

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Norwich-based EDP election panel members Adam and Aimee Gedge rent their home, but would like to buy. Mrs Gedge said she felt they were 'at the mercy of the letting agents'.

'However, to buy our own home we have to have a deposit, and since a big percentage of our earnings goes on rent and bills we don't have enough left to put aside as savings.'

She said the Tory plans were a good start, but they had looked into the previous Help to Buy scheme which required a lot of money, and eligible homes in Norwich were far from jobs and friends.

'There isn't much room for development in most city centres, but transport costs a lot, so if they build them too far away from big employment spots then it is still going to be difficult for a lot of young professionals,' she said.

Mr Gedge said: 'Even if houses are built, we are still going to need a deposit that would be hard to afford. Putting up 200,000 homes is start, but we will have to see what those homes are like. Will they actually be affordable for the average Joe, or will you need rich parents or prior funding?' he added.

• What should be done to address the housing shortages? Write (giving your full contact details) to: The Letters Editor, EDP, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email EDPLetters@archant.co.uk