Search for
Search for
Search forCombe Martin developer in row with planners over delays
Thursday, September 25, 2008, 07:00
Tom Bounde says he has just seen a £180,000 sale fall through because the properties at Hillside View do not yet have planning permission.
Mr Bounde, 28, of Bideford, runs Catalyst Homes Ltd.
He submitted the application for 10 homes last year and says constant delays are costing him money.
The Hillside View development comprises 10 houses and sits behind the Rone House apartments — another of Catalyst's projects.
Planners gave approval in principle in September 2007 — but this was subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.
Mr Bounde said: "I was happy to put up three of the houses as affordable homes and agreed to fence off an area the council wanted kept aside for a pathway — so I just went ahead with building, quite happy with the arrangement.
"But the details of the 106 agreement keep being changed by the council, and they just aren't moving quickly enough.
"I can't sell any houses because I'm taking a massive gamble if I do. Technically, until the 106 agreement is signed, I don't have planning permission.
"I've just seen one sale fall through, because the buyer's solicitors advised them quite rightly not to buy without planning permission."
Mr Bounde said the agreement had been passed back and forth between him and the district council planning department which would take up to three months at a time to deal with it.
Mr Bounde said: "It's with them for three months, then me and my lawyer for a week, then back with them for three months. And they've changed from wanting me to simply set the land aside for a path, to wanting me to build a footpath. It's just becoming too much.
"Now they're saying I have to put in a footpath before I even have one house occupied, and it's been sitting with them for two months."
North Devon Council spokeswoman Alison Carragher said: "The Section 106 Agreement in this instance is quite complex, dealing with providing affordable housing, contributions towards public open space and educational facilities and setting aside land for a future riverside walk.
"The applicant has also requested that the council consider various changes to the wording of the agreement and draft conditions, which have required careful consideration."
She added: "This has involved not only North Devon Council, but Devon County Council and Combe Martin Parish Council. We are working to reach agreement on the application as soon as possible."
● Amended plans for the development are due to be considered by Combe Martin parish council on October 1. If these plans are ultimately refused the height of the buildings may have to be reduced.
Comment on this story