BACK in 1980 I climbed upon the property ladder buying a terrace property in need of modernisation in York for £9,500.

At the time my gross weekly earnings were £82 giving, on the basis of three times earnings, a mortgage offer of just under £13,000.

This can clearly be considered to be affordable in the true sense of the meaning.

Now move forward in time to 2004 and the continuous build, build, build on all available land, and show me, using the same formula, any truly affordable property built since 2003.

I was under the impression that all developments had to include a minimum of 25 per cent of affordable property as part of the planning process.

I have two children at a similar age to what I was in 1980 who have absolutely no chance of getting started.

Just assume they earn 50 per cent above the minimum wage level, this calculates up to a mortgage of £42,000.

Now find a property in this price range. Who knows what the future will hold for our children, but one thing is for sure, it will be very difficult to become a homeowner.

Philip Sunley,

Paddock Way, York.

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, March 18, 2004