Statement of Gemma Hatton re O.P.A

Intro by Lorna

My name is Gemma Hatton, aged 31, married with three children under eleven, 2 boys and one girl.

I was born and educated in Lyme Regis and my family have lived there for many generations.

We were living in a two bedroom housing association flat in Lyme Regis and there seemed to be no prospect of obtaining a three bedroom property anytime soon, due to the waiting list being so long and open to people from all of West Dorset, not just those with a local connection.

We were fortunate to be able to bid for a three bedroomed council owned dwelling in the village of Dalwood which is some ten miles from Lyme Regis. My husband was at that time working in Axminster and I was working in Musbury both of which are in Devon, that gave us a local connection.

Dalwood is a nice friendly place but there is no school, so this means a trip of about three miles across the A35 to Shute. In Lyme of course we would have been able to walk to school.

My husband now works in Lyme Regis and travels approximately 100 miles per week to his job. I too am still actively involved with Lyme Regis life which means a 20 mile round trip to attend rehearsals or to visit our extensive families. I have two grandparents, my own and my husband’s parents, our sisters and many other close relations all living in Lyme Regis.

Whilst we have settled well in Dalwood, our family would have definitely stayed in Lyme Regis to be close to our families, if we thought a three bedroomed house would have been available within a reasonable time frame.