ONLY six per cent of local authorities have or are considering a dedicated housing strategy for older people, warns retirement property developer McCarthy & Stone.

"Worryingly the focus by most local authorities appears to be solely on affordable housing," said Dorset-based McCarthy & Stone's chairman John McCarthy.

"We strongly believe that to achieve genuine housing needs for older people, there needs to be proper assessment of their needs - not just the need for affordable housing."

Yesterday the Bournemouth group - which claims a 55 per cent market share - unveiled an increase in pre-tax profit of nearly 80 per cent for the half-year ended February 28:

turnover - £102.1 million (up 59.8 per cent);

pre-tax profit - £39.7 million (up 79.6 per cent);

unit sales - 831 (up 34.2 per cent;

average sales price - £122,900 (up 19.2 per cent).

Deputy chairman Keith Lovelock said: "The market in our sector is very robust and we feel confident for the full year. Things are going well."

But costs have increased by five per cent, of which two per cent the company attributes to "changing building regulations".

John McCarthy has again criticised inconsistencies between local planners across the UK.

The government's proposal to withdraw developers' right to submit parallel planning applications would mean more "planning by appeal", he added.

In the six months to February 28, McCarthy & Stone achieved 25 (2002: 22) planning consents representing 1,180 units across the UK.

Nine out of 22 applications recommended for approval by planning officers were rejected by councillors.

"We have already been successful in overturning some of those as appeals while the remainder are still in the appeal process."

McCarthy & Stone won five out of six appeals during the six-month period.