I started the day in Wool at the new Purbeck Gate housing development.

I visited with the landowner James Weld who has developed the scheme with Barratts to deliver 51 affordable homes.  The remaining 95 units are market housing and much of the interest has been from local people.

The development was originally controversial because of the expansion of the village.  It is inevitable that any housing development will have its critics and we could always ask for more affordable units than 35%.  But the reality is that if we want homes for young families to keep our communities going they have to be built somewhere.  They will also often be cross subsidised with market housing as part of the development to make the finances add up.

I was impressed with both the design and the quality.  I am hopeful the development will be a success and would like to see more of the same around the constituency. 

The affordable housing is being developed with Raglan Housing Association in Poole.  13 are shared ownership and 38 are for rent.