Simon O'Brien, famous for playing Damon Grant in channel 4's Brookside, made the remark on his show on BBC radio Merseyside on an advert for a programme about the planned regeneration of Liverpool's Edge Lane area and what the people of the area think of the plans.

Known for being a property renovator, maybe O'Briens outburst came about due to the frustration felt by many due to the madness of the Governments Pathfinder (named after the bombing missions from WW2) plans which seems hell bent on widespread destruction instead of selective demolition or even discussing plans with concerned residents.

Masses of people in the property business, who know that period features in properties with character and history will beat poor quality new builds hands down and have tried in vain to buy these substantial properties to renovate into desirable homes for people who are keen to move into these areas again after decades of poor maintenance by the residential social landlords & local councils.

Maybe it could be due to the incentives offered by government and the zero VAT that doesn't have to be paid on new properties unlike renovations, that makes sense, financial at least & the only sense left in the government & planners it would seem.