I WISH to correct Coun James Alexander on the affordable housing target in York’s rural areas (Letters, October 24) which he infers is 35 per cent for greenfield sites and 25 per cent brownfield sites.

It is in fact still 50 per cent on rural sites up to 14 dwellings, and only reverts to the lower targets on sites of 15 dwellings and over, which is illogical and stupid.

Since the targets were reduced last December, these have had no impact and no sites are coming forward or starting other than Derwenthorpe, which is not by a private housebuilder.

Asking for a report on targets across the region, which the councillor has done, does not have any bearing on the situation locally. What is working elsewhere has not worked in York, and reports will not change that fact.

York has seen endless reports, consultations and debates on the targets over the past three years and they are still not working because they are too high.

If Coun Alexander wants to stimulate house-building, the solution is simple: drop the target to 15 per cent and set a blanket threshold of ten dwellings.

Paul S Cordock, Durlston Drive, Strensall.

• AS A local architect with two stalled housing projects, I know to my cost that the 50 per cent affordable target still stands in rural villages. The 25 per cent to 35 per cent policies which James Alexander quotes in response to John Jones simply do not apply in these areas.

The leader of the council is making the right noises about lifting the threshold of two units where this ludicrous 50 per cent policy applies but we need more than ‘investigations’ into a ‘possible’ and ‘temporary’ reprieve. We need positive action. We need it now and we need it to be permanent. My stalled projects will not move forward without it. That means homes not built and jobs not provided.

Matthew Laverack, Architect of this parish, Lord Mayor’s Walk, York.

• James Alexander wishes to clarify affordable housing policy but then clouds the issue. The 25 per cent brown-field and 35 per cent green-field targets apply only to the city and suburbs, plus Haxby/Wigginton and Strensall. Outside these areas the ridiculous 50 per cent target on all sites of two or more dwellings still applies.

We need more than an investigation into a possible temporary raising of this threshold. This policy has done enormous damage since 2005. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We need it to be lifted immediately and permanently to allow small local firms to get back to work.

John Jones, Sand Hutton, York.