REPORTER.
Who the homes will be for?
ANDY JARRATT
It will be drawing people from the local area. It will have a particular emphasis on trying to ensure that affordable homes meet the requirements of those that are unable to afford homes at the moment.
But also that we are trying to introduce a new demographic to the area and to increase the economically active population.
REPORTER.
You are actively looking for people to move in from outside of the area then
ANDY JARRATT
We are looking to business to see what business requires and for new facilities we think that will drive a new skill base so it will be a mix of local people benefiting from that but yes and it will be open to people with skills from elsewhere to come to the area.
REPORTER.
Do you know where house prices might start from?
ANDY JARRATT
(Sigh)
We don't I think it's worth recognising that this is a long-term project. we hope to be on site 2020 but even then you can appreciate that things will change a lot. It will be important that affordability of homes is taken account of so there will be starter homes within the mix of that I'm quite sure I think it's likely there will be key worker homes available to the people with particular skill sets that we are trying to encourage. I mean affordability is very much in our mind.
REPORTER.
Roughly then how much would a starter home cost do you think?
ANDY JARRATT
I just don't know I don't think we know how much any home will cost into a three years time. It's got to be valuable it's got to meet the market it will be governed by the market conditions at the time.
REPORTER.
There has obviously been lots of protest about this development you know we had hundreds of people marching on the streets not too long ago. How are you trying to get those people on board and the concerns that they have.
ANDY JARRATT
(Big sigh)
Well I think what we're trying to do through our own engagement really is to help people shape the settlement and it's not a question… You appreciate we are promoting the project our role in life is to make it work for as many people as we can. And I think we will have to assume that there will be some people who object to this proposal as people object to any significant proposal. Ummm what we're trying to do essentially is to work with those who will work with us and to meet as many needs as possible.
REPORTER.
What would you say to those people who so far have felt a bit ignored in this process.?
ANDY JARRATT
(Bigger sigh)
... If there are people out there who feel ignored .... I think we need to draw attention to what we are doing and we have an open dialogue with all good will talk to us. I don't pretend for a minute that we will be able to meet everybody's requirements because some people don't want to see this scheme happen at all. Some people don't want to see development happen at all. But what is driving this is a need to meet the needs of the many, and this is based on an objective assessment of what future housing need is is required in the area and we have a responsibility I think to meet that need.
REPORTER.
Those people that aren't happy with the plan, they just have to put up with it then?
ANDY JARRATT
(Even bigger sigh)
While they have to...they have to put up with it, or they have to try and work with us to shape it.
What we are not entering into is a dialogue about it not happening.
REPORTER.
And that consultation on going of course......
S&DRA