"The building industry takes the risk in constructing much needed new homes. It is they who have to sell the homes so you can hardly blame the industry if they build at a responsible pace to suit the economic climate at the time. Today's boom may be tomorrow's slowdown.
"The industry is often accused of holding onto landbanks, but far from doing this to keep prices artificially high, house-builders are frequently hampered by planning restrictions and massive delays.
"Ms Barker says the housebuilding industry shows a reluctance to invest in brownfield developments, this is untrue. The same impediments apply as far as planning goes to brownfield sites as virgin green belt.
"Section 106 agreements that are imposed on developers call for so called planning gains in the form of days centres, swimming pools and fitness centres which are financed by the house builders. Remember, the cost of these "gains" is eventually borne by the homebuyer - a form of indirect taxation.
"Any new tax such as a levy on landbanks with planning permission would outrage the industry which already stumps up £5bn a year in development costs imposed by local government.
"This industry should be given encouragement rather than being penalised with red tape and retrograde planning laws. The Government must widen the zoning of residential development, embracing green belt if necessary, and streamline the planning process so landbanks can be realised for building more quickly."
