Harrogate councillors have raised the need to provide a continuing supply of affordable housing for local needs.

They are also worried that high house prices are beyond the reach of many local people.

So what does it do?

It has effectively imposed a freeze on most new housing within the borough (Evening Press October 17). In the face of rising demand and price increases, it is cutting down on the supply of land to provide the housing needed in the borough.

The pretext for this is that the level of new housing being provided is excessive.

This new policy has been introduced by the back door, in the face of significant opposition, in a way which evades effective public scrutiny of their decision.

By their actions, the councillors' expressions of concern are nothing more than crocodile tears. It is in their hands to address the issue by adopting a positive approach to new housing and making more land available to enable local people get access to the housing they need.

Ray Packham,

Regional planner,

House Builders Federation,

Tower Court Business Centre,

Clifton Moor,

York.

Updated: 11:38 Friday, November 02, 2001