Dr. David Duffy:

We have not developed a policy on it. We have not looked at that specific issue.

On the rental market, we think build to rent has an important role to play. On the mix of apartments, our view is that in supplying rental accommodation we need an appropriate mix of apartments, for families of various sizes as well as one or two-person households. If we are to have a sustainable and stable rental market, it should cater for accommodation across the various family types.

On the specific question on local authorities making the decisions, the key is how it will be achieved. This comes back to me not being a planner. I am not sure how it would be achieved but the key for the delivery of housing units into the market is the length and certainty of the timescale. That relates to appeals and so on as well as the overall process. I make that point as an economist; not a planner.