A contingent of social, commercial and planning organisations has signed a pledge to work together to maximise opportunities offered by the Barker Report to reduce the widening gap between those able to afford market housing and those priced out. <p></p><p>At the Thames Gateway Forum in London in November, members of the group, including Wilson Bowden, Shelter, RTPI, the National Housing Federation, CBI, CABE and George Wimpey, presented their manifesto. It is based on the proposal that housing supply should be more responsive to need and demand, and it aims to ensure that the issue is a national priority and that the Barker agenda is implemented "in a way that is consistent with social, environmental and economic imperatives." </p><p>Shelter director Adam Sampson said: "While most people can see the damage the housing crisis is causing, proposals for new housing regularly run into the sand because of local opposition. </p><p>"The group reflects the issues of housing need, demand and delivery and has come together to promote a more constructive debate with the individuals or groups who are opposed to housebuilding. The crisis is crying out for a voice that can make the powerful social, economic and environmental case in favour of the …