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Posts Tagged ‘property development’

Building plans in doubt as health fears are raised

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Doubt has been thrown onto plans to build hundreds of new properties that would have been covered by buildings and contents insurance on the former site of the biggest asbestos factory in the world, after the land has been put up for sale by the developers.

In January Rochdale Council rejected the plan to build six-hundred homes, because they fear the ground will be contaminated with asbestos. Despite saying they intended to re-submit the plans, the old Turner Brother’s factory site has been put on the market by MMC Developments who have employed Estates Gazette, a commercial property agent, to handle the sale. In the advert they describe the site as a Brownfield industrial site which has potential for redevelopment use subject to planning permission. MMC bought the site seven years ago for £6.5m, but it is unclear what they are now asking for the land.

Jason Addy, who led the campaign against the plans, said “People power has prevailed. The shocking history of asbestos is now emerging; too many people have been harmed and killed by the products and decisions made in the Spodden Valley. Future generations of Rochdalians deserve accountable facts and open decision making. The cheapest solution for the site could be to create a ‘green-lung’ of safe amenity land. Is there the collective will and determination to put people before profit?”

The council are aware of the proposed sale and are keeping an eye on the situation. They are also fully committed to working with any owner, new or current, to secure the best solution which makes sure it will be safe and meet all current planning constraints. MP Simon Danczuk’s view is that the site needs to be developed into an urban park as a memorial to everyone who has been affected by asbestos. He also wants everyone to work together to achieve a greener future for Rochdale.

Tags: building plans, buildings and contents insurance, new homes, property development
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Sussex to get forty new affordable green properties

Wednesday, June 29th, 2011

Denne have been picked by Southern Housing Group as the contractor to build forty brand new homes which will be both sustainable and affordable in the beautiful coastal town of Hove.

Southern Housing Group is one of the United Kingdom’s biggest housing associations who own and manage in excess of 26,000 properties, which are home to over 65,000 inhabitants. Work on the new project will start in six weeks time and will evolve into thirteen one bedroom homes, fifteen two bedroom homes and twelve three bedroom homes. The properties will be available to those already on the housing waiting list. With the rent for the properties being competitive it is thought that plenty of local people will be keen to purchase cheap home insurance on one of the homes and interest in them will be high.

Colin Thomas from Southern Housing Group said: “We are delighted to be able to deliver much needed affordable homes in Hove. The homes reach high sustainability and design standards and the maritime art deco influence has proved popular with both the planning authority and local residents. We are pleased that Denne will build this prominent scheme for the Group.”

A focal point of the new housing will be the inset balconies on each property that are both sheltered from the wind and private. They will be constructed to create sun parlours which are a useful device for increasing the solar gain and thus will reduce the need for heating on a sunny winter day. Denne also plan to have solar photovoltaic panels on the roof for electricity generation. The development will include a basement car park and excellent drainage services. Denne also want to help the community through their Employment and Skills strategy. They aim to give five apprenticeships and six work placements to residents in Hove. If the project goes to plan it should be completed by the winter of next year with Southern Housing Group hoping to build more green properties in the future.

Tags: cheap home insurance, Green Properties, property development, Southern Housing Group
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Thousands of new homes to be built in Worcestershire

Friday, June 24th, 2011

Plans for 20,000 new homes to be built in South Worcestershire during the next nineteen years have been unveiled in a project involving Worcester Council, Wychavon District Council and Malvern Hills District Council.

The three Councils have worked hard on the SWDP (South Worcestershire Development Plan) and investigated not only the housing needs of the area but the affect new homes will have on transport and employment. The three councils will further discuss the plans before starting a two month public consultation later this year. They claim they will listen to all objections and would like residents to get involved in the public meetings.

A total of 4000 properties are planned for Worcester City with the majority being built on Brownfield sites. A further 4000 are planned on the outskirts of the city including 1600 properties designated as affordable housing. Droitwich Spa and Evesham will see another 900 new homes, while problems with flooding in Tenbury Wells means that only 30 new homes can be built there.

Paul Middlebrough, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: “In preparing these proposals our priority has always been to balance the protection of Worcestershire’s vibrant market towns and sustainable villages with the need for stimulation and protection of our economy. I think there are always going to be people who are unhappy about development but everyone knows that towns need to grow, they know that we need to do this for the future.”

The 20,000 new homes will offer plenty of opportunities for buildings and contents insurance providers but it is still a significant drop in the number of homes which were originally planned for South Worcestershire. The plan will, however, include some significantly sized housing developments which will not please everyone, in general though, the councils have praised the way the developers have taken an integrated approach to help South Worcestershire grow during the next two decades.

Tags: household insurance, new homes, property development, South Worcestershire
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Residents to have input on new housing plans

Friday, June 10th, 2011

Plans to build a brand new housing estate to help with the chronic housing shortage in Oxford have gone on display to the general public. The developers as well as the Council are keen to hear the views of people who live in the area.

Local residents have this week been given their first glimpse of the proposed 1300 home development in Barton West which is being hailed as holding the key to solving the city’s lack of housing. The plan will also involve the developers building a new school, sports centre, supermarket and a new community centre to bring residents together. As with any new development there are concerns by residents that the roads will become convoluted by all the extra traffic.

Resident Helen Burlingham said: “I feel this development is needed but there should be more housing which would accommodate one person, especially for older people. I also have concerns that proper provision is put in place for the sewerage system. We already have problems when there is very heavy rain.”

The plans for the site will see reduced speed limits introduced on the roads, and a new park crated for local residents. The properties will be a mix of types with the main emphasis on building homes for families who can then protect their home with cheap home insurance. The council are very much in favour of the scheme and would be happy for the plans to feature even more housing, unfortunately noise levels from the nearby A40 will probably preclude the development being extended. The consultation with residents will run until June 24th and all feedback will help form a draft action plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State early next year.

Tags: Barton West, home insurance, Local residents, property development
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Coalition plans to sell surplus land to build new homes

Monday, June 6th, 2011

Prime Minister David Cameron plans to have 100,000 new properties built on surplus government land. The land will be sold off to developers on a buy now and pay later scheme.

Ministers have spent the last four months compiling a list of all publicly owned land which is surplus to their requirements, with the finalised list expected to be published on Wednesday. The Coalition are keen to address the housing shortage which has seen the number of new homes built decrease to its lowest level since the 1920s. The first plots of land are thought to include a site in Hemel Hempstead, a former hospital site in Basingstoke, and a former colliery in Nottingham.

Developers are delighted at the “buy now, pay later” deal on offer as they will only have to hand over money once the newly built properties have been sold. Coalition ministers feel the deal will help developers who are currently struggling with cash flow problems.

Grant Shapps, the housing minister, said “The government sits on a lot of land which is often no longer being used for its original purpose. Rather than see it go to waste it’s obviously sensible to get it back into use. I think there’s the potential for tens of thousands of homes to be built on government property which is currently lying idle. Through schemes like Build Now, Pay Later we’ll invite developers in to build homes to benefit everybody.”

The new homes will also come as a boost to insurance companies eager to sell cheap home insurance on new properties. The Coalition will also offer councils a New Homes Bonus for any properties constructed in their area. Labour says the New Homes Bonus is unfair and is clearly weighted in favour of the wealthier areas in the south and south east of the country, which are controlled by Conservative councils.

Tags: buy now pay later, Developers, household insurance, New Homes Bonus, property development
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Residents win their battle with housing giant

Monday, May 16th, 2011

A resolute band of residents living in Cheltenham have won what is being seen as a landmark victory that prevents a major developer from building properties which would have blocked their view.

In what was classed from the start as a David Versus Goliath story, twenty two residents took on housing giant Taylor Wimpey after they began to build twenty four new homes on land protected by a historic covenant. The victory came after a three day tribunal where Taylor Wimpey were accused of deliberately trying to force through the development, despite knowing of the upset and objections from local people.

Taylor Wimpey bought the land in a deal worth £11.5 million five years ago, but now the land is thought to be worth little more than £20000 as pasture land. In addition to this huge financial loss, they will also have to demolish the few part built properties they put up in disregard of the covenant.

Residents have classed the verdict as a win for the people, Parish Council chairman, Malcolm Stennett, said: “It’s an incredible achievement. The developer was warned of residents’ objections from the very beginning but chose to take no notice of them. Now the birds have come home to roost. To put together such a strong case against such a large company and win shows great resolve. Taylor Wimpey clearly did not know who they were dealing with.”

If the verdict had gone the other way, residents estimate the value of surrounding homes would have gone down by as much as £100,000. It was not a domestic disaster that could be claimed for on a household insurance policy so the residents had to find the funds themselves. Their objections included losing their view and an increased risk of flood. Taylor Wimpey has refused to make a comment on criticism of their methods and is taking advice on demolition and removal work which needs to be done to comply with the verdict.

Tags: Cheltenham, home insurance, new homes, property developers, property development
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