COULD I add to your article, 'Here is something completely different' (Review, 25 May 11).

I am keen to clear up any confusion there may be about the financial impact of the proposed new development. The £12m which we plan to invest over the coming few years is not the cost of the office development alone. Most of the investment (subject to planning) will be used to create the following:

•Forty 'state of the art' extra care homes, for independent living for the frail elderly.

•A group of 'live/work' units to help develop existing and new small businesses in the Forest of Dean area.

•A Community Centre which we are actively discussing with the local town council and county council.

The office element would be a relatively small part of the total scheme costs. The really important point is that the costs of servicing the loan to build the office will be significantly less than the current rental charges we pay. In addition, we will achieve real savings in running costs. Given that we will also acquire a valuable built asset, it is self-evidently obvious that it is in the interests of everybody, especially our tenants that we make the savings that will increase our future ability to maintain, improve, renew and repair our existing homes and continue to build new homes for those in housing need.

Let's be clear we would not be doing this if it had a negative impact on tenants' welfare. In short, the office is an imaginative, cost effective solution for the organisation that will enhance our capacity to provide quality homes and a responsive housing service. It will also provide a major boost to local employment and give local people a chance to start their own businesses, or to work for the companies who will be developing and supplying the new site.

– Barry Thompson, Director of Resources, Two Rivers Housing.