Housing land drying up

Cheap land to build new homes on is running out fast, writes Lynn Eaton. Spiralling property prices and a shortage of local authority land are jeopardising new social housing schemes in central London, says Communities and Homes in Central London, a federation of community groups.

The housing associations, responsible for most building, told the federation they are scrabbling around for affordable land. They have relied on land donated or sold at a discount by councils: old schools or depots.

But as these are running out, they must compete on the open market, which is being forced up by higher house prices.