Liz Twist was greeted by Graham Prothero, Chief Executive Officer of MJ Gleeson plc, and other representatives of the Gleeson team. During the visit, Liz Twist toured Gleeson’s show homes, and was also taken on a tour around the development to meet the build team and see the homes being built.
During the visit, they discussed the importance of making homeownership more accessible for her constituents, particularly for first-time buyers. The discussion also focused on the need to reform the planning system and tackle the shortage of skilled tradespeople to help build much needed homes across the country.
County Durham is an important area for Gleeson and during the visit, Liz Twist learnt about the contributions Gleeson has made to Consett and the regeneration of the surrounding areas. This includes donating over £230,000 to open spaces, improving healthcare provision and towards biodiversity enhancements.
Liz Twist, Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett, commented:
“It was inspiring to see Gleeson’s investment in Consett and the positive impact it is having on the wider regeneration of the area. Hearing about Gleeson’s work and the support available through various homeownership schemes, underlines the crucial role affordable housing plays in building thriving, sustainable communities. I look forward to visiting more Gleeson developments in my constituency.”
Graham Prothero, Chief Executive Officer of MJ Gleeson plc, added:
“It was a pleasure to welcome Liz to our Castledene development. We were delighted to share the progress we are making in Consett and to discuss the importance of delivering genuinely affordable, high-quality homes. Liz’s commitment to tackling the challenges facing first-time buyers and local communities is clear and Castledene is a fantastic example of how thoughtful, well-designed homes can breathe new life into communities.”