A HOUSING association will “tap into long-term finance” to pay for the infrastructure needed to support a huge new garden community.

L&Q says its flexible business model and financial clout will allow it to secure adequate financing for things like roads and utilities at West Tey, where around 17,000 homes could be built over 30 years.

The firm added the improvements will “pave the way for new homes and jobs” which will be delivered in phases over a long period of time and not all appear overnight.

A spokesman said: “L&Q’s flexible business model and financial strength allows us to tap into long-term finance, which will support the delivery of new infrastructure at West Tey.

“This includes physical infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, as well as social infrastructure, which supports the development of a community.

“The planned infrastructure improvements will pave the way for new homes and jobs and since the new homes will be delivered gradually in phases over a long period of time, the infrastructure will also be delivered over time, working with local partners. “

L&Q said physical and social infrastructure will be funded early on in the development process following a programme designed and agreed with the help of the councils involved.

The spokesman continued: “Because L&Q is a developer with a long-term commitment to the area, we want to make sure that West Tey has the right infrastructure at the right time.”

The housing association also insisted it was “fully committed” to ensuring at least 30 per cent of the homes at West Tey were affordable, which would mean at least 5,000 homes would be available.

READ MORE: ‘We need meat on the bone of West Tey homes proposals’