• I ENTIRELY agree with architect James Dunnett’s view that the density of housing in outer London should be increased, (London is not Hong Kong and housing density matters, March 1).

Given the huge demand, housing density is surprisingly low in many areas of our city. However, I also have no doubt that whenever this is proposed there will also be objections.

The residents of Bexley, Bromley and Barnet will no doubt say that low-density suburban housing is integral to maintaining the character of their boroughs, and they will argue that it’s much more appropriate to build blocks of flats in inner-London boroughs such as Islington.

The truth is that we should build more housing in both outer and inner London. Given the shortage of housing we face, simply saying “build it somewhere else” is an inadequate response.

Moreover I would note that data show that the per-square-foot price of residential property in Islington and other inner boroughs is around double that in most areas of outer London. This is despite the fact that in inner London we have a much higher proportion of flats which, all things being equal, tend to sell for less than houses.

This price signal clearly suggests that the scale of unmet demand is greater in inner London than in outer London. These prices also cast doubt on Mr Dunnett’s contention that increased population density is serving to “make living conditions unattractive” in our borough.

People would not be paying such a premium to live here if that were the case. I therefore commend our council’s efforts to build more housing. We need it.

ALEX JENKINS, N1