Chloe welcomes local business owner to speak at Parliament

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, this week welcomed local business owner Samantha Coe to speak at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs. The event, attended by young people and MPs, focussed on young people and housing.

 

Samantha is Director of the Wharf in Norwich, and has worked with the Prince’s Foundation as part of a large community consultation on development at the Old Shoe Factory on Oak Street. The consultation followed a process known as “BIMBY”, which stands for Beauty in my Back Yard. BIMBY aims to ensure developments tie in with local preferences so they will be accepted by the community.

 

The Conservative-led Coalition Government was the first government since the 1980’s to finish its time in office with a greater number of affordable homes than when it came to power.

 

Commenting on the meeting Chloe said:

 

“I was delighted to welcome Samantha to Parliament to address the APPG. Housing is a top concern for young people so we need to think innovatively about how our young people access the rental market and get on the property ladder.

 

“Since April 2010, 263,600 affordable homes have been built, 60,000 in the last year alone. The Government has also launched a £10 million fund to help councils bring forward brownfield land for new Starter Homes. Meanwhile, Help to Buy has helped 94,000 families in England get on the housing ladder, with almost 80 per cent of sales going to first-time buyers.”

 

The APPG on Youth Affairs meets regularly in Parliament, with young people playing a key role. Other speakers at the event included John Stewart, Director of Economic Affairs at the Home Builders Federation, and Liam Preston, Public Affairs Manager for the YMCA.