Link planning permission to completion dates
SIR – Norman Balon (Letters, October 11) advocates the revocation of planning permission if building work has not been started within three months of its being granted. That would not solve the problem, since the laying of foundations and the erection of two or three courses of bricks would satisfy the condition. Work could then stop until the developer decides that the housing market is more active.
Planning permission should come with a strict and limited date for the completion of the development. This would also put a stop to speculative applications and the acquisition of land banks. John Ley-morgan
Weston-super-mare, Somerset
SIR – Mr Balon appears to be unaware that the enforceable precommencement planning conditions for even a modest development can take up to a year to be cleared under the current planning regime.
In my own experience, some planning conditions, though duly addressed, have never been cleared. Paul Richmond
Godalming, Surrey
SIR – Correspondents have called for the Green Belt to be built upon.
It is right to point out that there is a demand for more affordable housing in cities, but this can be achieved by the regeneration of the centre with good-quality, higher-density homes. Unfortunately, it is somewhat naive to expect developers to build affordable housing on Green Belt land, as they can make more profit on four- or five-bedroom houses.
Affordable housing for young families and young people is desperately needed, but the Green Belt is unlikely to meet the need. It is also important to note that it provides much-needed open land for better health and recreation close to the city. Richard Knox-johnston
Chairman
The London Green Belt Council Sittingbourne, Kent
SIR – It is time to accept that, as in many countries on the Continent, housing rental is the best means of providing affordable housing for newcomers.
Efforts should be focused towards financing and improving the quality of rented properties, rather than hopelessly trying to increase the number of affordable houses to buy. David Sankey
Edinburgh