We need to consider council houses too

The Advertiser reported the welcome plans of High Peak Borough Council to re-develop land that it owns in Market Street in Buxton for housing.

The other was the Prime Minister’s announcement of the removal of the cap on local government borrowing to fund the building of council housing.

You report that in the council’s plans, up to 30 per cent of the homes would be affordable.

That means that at least 70 per cent of them would not be affordable which is very disappointing. The council will not have known about the Prime Minister’s plans but should take this opportunity to consider building council homes on the site to provide decent homes at affordable rents for local families. It owns the land so does not have to compete to buy it on the open market. It only needs to fund the re-development costs.

Interest rates are low so borrowing costs would be reasonable.

The investment would provide an income stream for the council for the life of the buildings. It is a real opportunity to improve the availability of good affordable housing in the town.

Martin Willey

Green Lane, Buxton

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