What is the point of the Local Plan? It has certainly cost us a great deal of money.

If one turns to section H03, it states boldly that "a priority will be attached to securing the provision of three-bedroom accommodation suitable for families as well as an element of larger (four-plus bedroom) accommodation".

What is more, clause 4.47 states there is a "significant mismatch in the demand and supply of larger family accomodation".

That mismatch is becoming all the greater, for this page of the local plan appears to have been ripped out of the planning officers' copy.

Time and again they are missing the opportunity to create such homes.

That clause should, perhaps, be re-numbered H2O as, in practice, it has been watered down.

There appears to be no limit to the number of houses being turned into boxy flats. This, in turn, pushes up the price of remaining houses.

Children need open space - a garden or the like. The lack of provision of such amenities appears to indicate a generation which has, perforce, decided not to have children.

It will take more than desperate pleas by Patricia Hewitt to change that. Houses might.

Could there, though, be signs of change?

Looking around, one cannot help but notice these flats are not selling.

-Christopher Hawtree, Hove