A GROUP of young people from across the South Hams have met with the Government's housing minister to explain their plight first-hand. A group of 14 youngsters, including Will Holland, 20, from Dittisham, was among a delegation who travelled to London on Wednesday to talk to housing minister Kris Hopkins. They are calling for land to be made available where they can build low-cost eco- homes and grow their own food, and were explaining the impact of the housing benefit for under 35s being set so low and the difficulties they face in renting accommodation from local landlords. Mr Holland, a carpenter, said the cost of buying land was too high and rental homes were in short supply. He said he had tried renting a shared house in Totnes but it proved too expensive, so he returned to the family home after six months. The trip to Westminster is the second one made by the young people who met in the capital with South Hams MP Dr Sarah Wollaston in February to talk about the housing problems facing youngsters in the South Hams. They were supported on the trip by South Hams Council's affordable housing officer Debbie Holloway who said it was important to keep young people in the community. 'If they can secure any land we would help and support them in any way we could to be able to self build on it,' she said. 'We would put them in touch with the right people such as self-build trusts so that they get the support they need. I think it is very refreshing that they want to come in with ideas.' The latest visit came about after Mr Hopkins invited the youngsters to make a second visit to Westminster to put their case personally. He requested the visit after Dr Wollaston approached him following a deputation by 14 youngsters and South Hams councillors earlier this year, when the young people were unable to put their case to the minister directly. They were accompanied by Dartmouth district and county councillor Jonathan Hawkins, South Hams executive member for environmental health and housing. He said: 'The housing minister very kindly agreed to meet us. This is quite a coup in terms of our young people being given a voice to get across the difficulties they face first hand putting a roof over their heads in such a high cost housing area like the South Hams.' Among the issues they wanted to raise with him were: l How land can be made available near the town where they can built low cost eco homes, and grow their own food. l The impact of the housing benefit for under 35s being set so low. l The plight they find themselves in when local landlords will not allow young people to buddy up to pay for rented accommodation.