I ALWAYS read with interest the letters written by Paul Cordock and Mathew Laverack. They are spot on every time.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing needs to have a drive out of York and look at the development that is going on no more than 40minutes away from York and she will see new houses being built by most of the major house builders.

Until the 50 per cent rule on housing is reduced, why should they build in York?

As someone involved in sales to the construction industry, it is very noticeable to me how the rest of Yorkshire is actively building whereas York is at a standstill.

Let’s not forget the building industry supports so many different businesses such as joiners, electricians, plasterers, plumbers, decorators and removal firms.

It’s nice to see even Terry Smith has got this one right! (Letters, June 11).

Martin Rodgers, Melcombe Avenue, Strensall, York.

• OWAIN Gardner knows less about my drinking habits than he does about affordable housing (Letters, June 11).

I haven’t drunk any champagne in years. I don’t like the stuff and my stock has been given to worthy causes throughout this parish.

I am not against the provision of affordable housing and fully support the idea of inclusive communities. What makes me irate is discriminatory and unfair policies which try to force one minority section of private enterprise to shoulder the burden of a problem which is the responsibility of everyone; including failed Labour candidates.

Mr Gardner claims the policies are designed to maintain a high level of diversity, but their effect has been to decimate an industry and put thousands of people out of work.

I challenge all those who deny this to get together and form their own building firm to prove otherwise.

I look forward to seeing the performance of the Loony Left Wing Building Company Ltd.

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

• EACH week I look through the local papers to see if there is any change in activity in the new homes market.

On Wednesdays, City of York Council planning applications are published in The Press, but for the past three weeks there have been none.

On Thursday, Property Press has details of new homes every other week. In normal times this is crammed with new homes sites, both large and small by numerous local and national firms.

Last week there were only four sites in the York area, with three of those sites having a total of ten dwellings to sell.

In contrast there were sites in Selby, Riccall, Brayton, Nafferton, Pickering, and Market Weighton. Is this not proof positive that there is a problem for housebuilders in York?

Local politicians will blame the recession, and if pushed will point out that Selby and Ryedale have higher affordable targets than York. It is, however, a fact that other councils have set their targets at 15 per cent for reasons of viability.

The comparative lack of activity in York is a direct consequence of York’s unworkable affordable housing targets. I challenge Coun Simpson-Laing to provide evidence to the contrary.

Paul S Cordock, Durlston Drive, Strensall.