The Minister announced he was removing the provision under which many planning permissions would wither on 31 December 2002 and during 2003. This move was decided in the interest of ensuring a continued supply of housing. The Minister noted that without this provision, planning permission for an estimated 44,000 houses would cease on 31 December 2002 and permission for over 30,000 houses would cease in 2003. With the demand that exists, losing so many permissions would have a serious impact on housing supply next year and he could not afford to let this happen.