Member Article

Barratt Developments Chief Executive visits pioneering Brownfield site in West Yorkshire

The Chief Executive of Britain’s largest housebuilder described developing on brownfield land as a ‘crucial’ part of meeting the growing demand for housing when he visited a pioneering development in West Yorkshire, that has recycled over 90 per cent of the materials that existed on the site.

Mark Clare, CEO of Barratt Developments, visited Garnett Wharfe in Otley to discover how the former paper mill in the market town is being transformed into a mixed-use thriving community that meets local residents’ and businesses’ needs.

He met workers at the David Wilson Homes site who highlighted how the brownfield land was utilised; with 1000 tonnes of scrap metal recycled and used within the development, along with 12,000 tonnes of paper pulp taken from the tip at the mill, which was dried to be used as a soil improver.

Mr Clare was given a tour of the development, which will boast a series of two, four and five bedroom homes set along the River Wharfe, which have received huge interest from buyers since the site’s launch earlier this year. He was also shown plans for the erection of a new apartment block with visitor centre, café, fish pass, riverside walks, high quality public piazza, commercial building and a new hydroelectric turbine which is forecast to generate enough energy from the weir to make the development carbon neutral on an offset basis.

Mr Clare said: “The Barratt Group is fully committed to delivering homes on brownfield sites, with 63% of our homes delivered on brownfield land last year. Developing on brownfield land is crucial in ensuring we can meet the growing demand for housing, we well as providing thousands of jobs in the trade sector, which is key to keeping our economy thriving. But it is not just about creating housing developments; as the Garnett Wharfe site shows, we aim to make thriving communities that serve families and businesses alike.

“The development is also a great example of how the group is committed to improving the local communities where it develops, with section 106 contributions for the site totalling over £1 million and the creation and safeguard of 62 jobs, 27 of which are in construction.”

Mr Clare also welcomed the changes to stamp duty unveiled in the Autumn Statement, describing them as ‘a real boost to many of the home buyers in West Yorkshire.’ The changes mean that someone buying a house for £275,000 will save £4,500 in stamp duty liability.

He added: “We urge buyers to look at how much money they will be able to save as a result of the changes and then consider whether to use that saving for a higher deposit and reduced interest payments. For some customers it may just make the difference between buying and not buying.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .