"Tim Lamb" wrote in message
...
In article a8AO9.464867$P31.155415@rwcrnsc53, Gordon Couger


Hmm.. The cure here would be for the planning authorities to zone so
much development land that house prices reflect the cost of construction
rather than the underlying land value.

This would upset rather at lot of voters and party supporters.


This can, and does, happen in some places at certain times. It happened
even in some parts of Devon less than 10 years ago, it may happen again.
The properties themselves end up being bought by speculators, because
everyone in the UK knows such a situation is unusual and a very sure
opportunity to make money. The developers don't seem to mind, the improved
cash flow keeps them happy.

Indeed it you consider how council houses used to be built, and were then
sold, this very same form of speculation is what subsidised local taxes
back in Thatcher's time.

Maybe UK farmers need to form housing associations to build lots of houses,
initially to be let to low income households, then.....

Michael Saunby