FEARS of a prospective housing bubble in our country could be avoided if planners looked ahead and considered all the land standing idle just waiting to be built on.

Building on this land would relieve the pressure on house prices by meeting demand.

The wider economy would benefit, too.

Councils would be able to levy taxes on new homes, local businesses would enjoy more custom and redundant land would be put to good use.

N Tate, Harrogate Village.