THE harsh economic reality facing young people growing up in an affluent area like the Wharfe valley confronts them as soon as they become adults and desire to strike out on their own.

The study carried out in Addingham by the rural housing enablers provides the statistics to back up the anecdotal evidence which has been common currency for some time. Local house prices are far too expensive for the majority of people looking to place their foot on the first rung of the housing ladder.

While this economic barrier keeps well-off valley residents insulated from the sort of difficulties faced by inhabitants of less affluent areas, it has a major drawback for youngsters. Affordable homes are conspicuous by their absence. For many years Government planning policy has been trying to address the problem with about as much success as British competitors in the current winter Olympics.

It is only recently that Bradford Council has begun to increase pressure on developers to come up with real solutions rather than sweeping the issue under the carpet by pledging 'commuted sums' of cash instead of bricks and mortar. So far, the north-east developer Bellway has come up with schemes in Valley Drive, Ilkley, and Low Mill, Addingham, which will provide an affordable roof over the head of local people.

It has taken many, many years for the issue to become a priority and has come to late for the former residents of the Wharfe Valley who now reside in areas outside their original locality.

But now the start has been made there is no reason why other developers should not be made to follow suit, making sure every sizeable development given planning permission has to include affordable housing wherever possible.

And maybe it is time for the developers of smaller sites to be asked to pay a percentage of their profits towards a cash pot for subsidised housing.