David Cameron interested in Rugby visit

By Dan Santy Thursday 17 January 2013 Updated: 05/02 08:18

Prime Minister David Cameron said he would be 'delighted' to visit Rugby's housing developments after being invited by town MP Mark Pawsey. (s)

PRIME Minister David Cameron has told how he would be 'delighted' to visit Rugby to see its major housing developments being built.

Town MP Mark Pawsey, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions to a packed House of Commons immediately after a heated discussion on Europe between Mr Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband, drew attention to Rugby's building projects.

He said the provision of new homes was needed to drive growth and highlighted the Mast Site and Gateway developments in Rugby as an example, with the two to provide around 8,000 houses between them.

Mr Pawsey then praised Rugby's efforts and asked the Prime Minister to visit the borough and see them for himself.

In response, Mr Cameron said: "I should be delighted to visit Rugby. He is absolutely right to say we need to build more houses in our country.

"That is because, unless they have help from their parents, first-time buyers are now, on average, in their 30s.

"We need to build more homes in order to allow people to achieve the dream, which so many have already achieved, of getting on to the housing ladder."

Speaking after Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Pawsey said: "It was good to hear the Prime Minister agreeing with me we need to build more homes in our country.

"Recent developments at Eden Park and the old BT Mast Site will provide around 8,000 new homes between them which is great news for Rugby and our surrounding areas.

"I am very glad the Prime Minister agreed to my offer of visiting Rugby in the near future. I look forward to welcoming him to see at first-hand how Rugby’s approach can be of benefit to other parts of the country."