IT was very disappointing to read that the newly-elected Conservative-controlled Richmondshire District Council had rejected a sensible motion on rural housing (D&S Times, July 24).

This was an opportunity to tell the Conservative government that something must be done urgently to help young and lower income families afford housing in rural areas. One has only to drive round small villages in the dales to see that forward thinking rural district councils provided council housing prior to 1974. Unfortunately most of these houses have now been sold under Margaret Thatcher’s “right to buy” and have not been replaced by district councils.

Housing associations have done a good job trying to fill the gap but now the Conservatives are proposing to extend the right to buy to housing association tenants and a reduced rate. So our rural housing stock is further reduced.

I was very surprised to see the council leader Cllr Yvonne Peacock was against the proposal put forward by independent councillors. A number of years ago when I was a Liberal Democrat member of the council, Cllr Peacock and I worked closely on a scrutiny report on provision of affordable housing in the very rural areas of Richmondshire. At that time, Cllr Peacock was very keen to take every opportunity to support and help those wishing to live and work in the dales. She appears to have changed her mind since becoming Conservative leader of the council.

Richard Good, Arkle Town, Arkengarthdale.