Letter: Elephant in room

Tim Allan (Perspective, 11 August) identifies the continued high cost of land as the "free elephant in the room" that house builders must address as tough market conditions continue.

However, with land prices now significantly depressed from 2007 levels, there are in fact other, and some may say even more disruptive, "elephants" contributing to the cost of building a new home.

In addition to land, other abiding expenses that builders are still required to meet include excessive investments in physical and community infrastructure expected by many local authorities, together with the increasing demands of the low carbon agenda - which necessitates even higher new-home specifications despite these already being some of the most stringent in Europe.

Of course, the issue of balancing house prices and affordability affects both purchasers in the second-hand market as well as new build.

Unfortunately, and in stark contrast, those buying an older property are not able to take advantage of the range of assistance measures offered by home builders to help new purchasers on to and up the housing ladder.

Jonathan Fair

Homes for Scotland

New Mart Place

Edinburgh