Westleigh Developments' chief executive Chris Beighton has spoken out about statistics showing a fall in planning applications for housing, arguing that demand is a strong as ever. Responding to latest NHBC statistics, showing applications to build new homes were down by 6% in February compared to the same month last year, Beighton said: "I can't believe builders are being deterred because of a fall in demand. The demand is still there. We are still trying to identify inner city development opportunities and we are sourcing as eagerly as ever." Beighton said the fall in planning applications was more likely to be down to a shortage of available land and changes in planning legislation.