A leading East Yorkshire house builder says a controversial planning policy is hindering young families from getting on to the housing ladder.

Peter Ward, Managing Director of award-winning Peter Ward Homes and a spokesman for the East Riding House Builders Group, has urged the Government to redefine its so-called ‘Affordable Housing’ policy, a term he believes is grossly misleading.

He added: “The Government needs to be reminded that young families need housing they can afford, not ‘Affordable Housing’, which is simply another guise for social rented accommodation.

“People will always buy the right home at the right price but they will not purchase at an inflated price simply to subsidise social housing units on the same site.”

His comments were in response to the Government’s decision to urge Councils to lift the moratorium on greenfield development. The East Riding of Yorkshire Council is expected on Tuesday to approve the proposal.

Peter Ward, who celebrates 30 years in business this year, said the pressure on house builders to allocate almost half of every development to ‘Affordable Housing’, “Government speak for social rented accommodation”, was unacceptable.

He added: “The decision to lift the moratorium and release more land is excellent news, but the Government is still urging local authorities to impose a planning condition requiring every major site to include up to 40 per cent for social rented housing.

“This could mean that four out of every 10 new homes could be handed over to social housing providers at a loss to the developer. With land values already on the floor, due to the housing crash, few owners will be willing to sell their land and if there is no land available house builders cannot build the homes this area badly needs.

“Lifting the moratorium alone is not going to help young people get on to the housing ladder and without activity at this end of the market it’s difficult to see any real improvement higher up the property value scale.”

Mr Ward said the Stamp Duty holiday, reductions in the interest rates and special packages introduced by many of the house builders had resulted in some improvements in the market but added that more action needs to be taken at national Government level.

“Freeing up land at a time when land values are low only to require house builders to include a large percentage for ‘affordable housing’ is not the answer”.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Peter Ward Homes by The Public Relations Company, Suite 7, Hesslewood Business Centre, Ferriby Road, Hessle HU13 0LH. For further information contact Mike Stathers on (01482) 647575 or email mike@tprc.co.uk