Richard and Heather have met representatives of the high-tech firm Subsea7 who want to build a new HQ for their international business in Sutton, bringing probably up to 600 new jobs working for the company and many more jobs due to the stimulus these new office workers will bring by spending money in local shops, restaurants and hotels. Keeping the company in Sutton will also protect over 200 jobs the company currently have located in the Borough, which could move elsewhere. Overall, this development could be worth 1 000 jobs.

The company wants to build a brand new state-of-the-art office to meet its particular needs, on the site of the Brighton Road car park. The design they showed Richard and Heather, for a building designed by renowned architects ESA, only a little higher than the car park but a much more attractive building, would be an iconic structure in the “Gateway to Sutton” that is the Brighton Road. It would bring  jobs and development to an area that needs it.

Jobs are gold dust, and there is intense competition between local authorities for such inward investment. In the current recession, a situation where an engineering firm is sufficiently confident of its future to open a new HQ building is most unusual. However, after considering many options, Sutton is the company’s current preferred site. The popularity of Sutton with those of their employees who live in Sutton – our good schools, low crime rate, pleasant suburban atmosphere, voted the best place in London to bring up children – is a factor in their preference for a site in Sutton. They have considered buildings in Sutton currently empty, but have very particular needs and a preference to build their own bespoke headquarters building.

Residents have been reassured that parking in the Borough will still be easily accessible despite the loss of Brighton Road car park. Research carried out for an independent report on the likely impact shows that there are high levels of surplus parking spaces in nearby car parks in the town centre, enough to absorb any displaced should Brighton Road Car Park close.

This is an opportunity to create hundreds of jobs for local people and in turn support existing businesses in the Borough. We have declared that Sutton is “open for business” and we will strive to seize those opportunities that will bring positive benefits for the area and for our residents. Given the scale of the impact on employment, it would be irresponsible of the Council not to engage with the company to see if its highly specific needs can be met.

That said, any proposal will of course need to be fully examined within the Council’s planning procedures.

Richard has spoken before about the extent of hidden poverty in Sutton South, often associated with people – both young people who have never had a job and those made redundant in their 50s who find they are one of twenty applicants for every job – not being able to find work. Jobs are gold dust. As vice-chair of the Housing, Economy and Business Committee he is aware of how important this development is for Sutton.