IN reply to Tim Staddon (City homes idea', Letters, December 8) it would be wonderful if four bedroom housing was plentiful enough that those on average incomes could afford it.

We are on above average incomes and own a three-bedroom house extended to four.

If we were first time buyers we would not be able to afford our own house.

Mr Staddon's suggestion would likely run up against significant problems, however.

Firstly developers would be required to build the new homes but it is not in their financial interest to flood the market and reduce their margins in York.

Only if a single developer was given an exclusive contract for a huge number of houses would it be of interest.

Secondly, existing owners of houses in York may not appreciate a large number of houses depressing their value.

Thirdly, people may object to the amount of new houses that would be required and its effect on York.

Fourthly, since York is close to Leeds and Harrogate, affordable housing here would simply suck in commuters and worsen traffic problems.

Sadly, there is little York can do on its own to make housing more affordable except at the low end of the market.

Anything else requires a root and branch change in housing across broad areas of the UK. To avoid sudden depression of property prices pushing people into negative equity this would need to be gradual; the scope of building requires a gradual change anyway.

Part of this change will mean some cramped townhouses and flats for single people to free up space for larger family homes.

We certainly need new house designs with decent internal volume for modern living and home offices with modest footprints on the ground.

There are no quick fixes that are cheap.

Aaron Turner,

Sherwood Grove,

Huntington,

York.

Updated: 11:02 Friday, December 10, 2004