RE the article by Juliette Astrup in the Echo on Tuesday (January 4), headlined Calls to review policy on affordable housing. It is about time the councils realised that there are a great deal of very rich developers. That’s why they are developers and when they complain about affordable housing it’s not that it’s affordable. The problem is they are not affordable and that is why they find the inability in selling these homes.

I am sure there are councillors like myself asking for affordable homes only knowing that first-time buyers can’t afford them even to rent, unless the government is paying the rent.

Is it beyond the ability of developers to build homes that are really affordable? I don’t think it is.

The councillors want greater certainty and clarity on affordable housing. It’s clear enough. I say members on planning boards press for real low-cost affordable homes that local first time buyers can buy.

I know there are planning laws and restrictions but let’s overcome these. Until we do we are not solving the housing problem for first-time buyers. We are only paying lip service to the wants of those requiring affordable homes and to the Government saying: ‘supply more affordable homes.’ Let’s tell the Government to change the rules in planning, give the first-time buyers a break, ask the first-time buyers what they want. Would they be satisfied with homes with less facilities in them, allowing them to add these facilities as their income grows?

When there is a problem find the cause.

CLLR FRED DRANE, Town, Purbeck, County, Councillor