THE Prime Minister’s plans for “an end to council houses for life” have been rejected in Bolton, after the council and social landlords pledged to preserve lifetime tenancies.

David Cameron had announced proposals for fixed-term tenancies for all new social housing tenants lasting as little as five years, which he said would help “increase social mobility”.

But Bolton Council’s draft tenancy strategy for the next three years, which was approved yesterday, will preserve lifetime tenancies in the borough because they “encourage stability and cohesion”.

According to the report, there are 116,371 households in Bolton and one-in-five rent from Bolton at Home or another housing association, with another 14 per cent renting from a private landlord.

The average rent in Bolton is £465 per month, and the average house price is £91,163 — lower than in Greater Manchester (£104,825) and England (£161,490) averages.

There are 17,000 on Bolton’s housing waiting list.

The report said: “Lifetime tenancies will continue to be used as the preferred tenancy.

“The council believes this to be appropriate to encourage community stability and cohesion.

“Registered providers would normally offer starter tenancies for 12 to 18 months, which then convert to a life time tenancy.”

Nick Peel, the council's executive cabinet member for the environment, regulatory services and skills, said fixed-term tenancies could prove “disastrous” for social cohesion.

He added: “This policy only offered the council’s view on it, the housing providers didn’t have to abide by it, but they all do agree that lifetime tenancies are the preferred option.

“It’s crucial to have stable communities in Bolton. Just having a transient population based on low income would be disastrous for large areas of Bolton, you need different income levels, different ages.”

Cllr Peel also dismissed the idea that buying a house should be the preferred option.

He said: “David Cameron seems to feel the best future for people is to have a large debt around their necks.

“For the government to pretend a mortgage is the only option for working people is, quite frankly, nonsense.”