17th July 2008, 06:10 PM
We have had a drop-off in activity and application of developments between about 2-10 units and the planning lists are far thinner - fewer extensions. Medium and small-scale Listed Building works seems to be running at about the same level as usual. Most of the large-scale LB work or major conversions have entirely stopped.
I have had a few developers on the phone, one in particular, who is trying to get one pile into the ground so that their scheme has been 'implemented' and their permission can continue. But you do have to be harsh with them in these hard times or they will try and get away with murder.
There is one major, major (this is a technical size definition of the council in question, clearly none of the planning department there have read Catch 22) site where the archaeology has been finished for a few months now but no piling mat has yet been laid and the cabins have recently been taken back by the rental company. This one is a bit of a concern as it will leave a dirty great hole in an important conservation area.
I have had a few developers on the phone, one in particular, who is trying to get one pile into the ground so that their scheme has been 'implemented' and their permission can continue. But you do have to be harsh with them in these hard times or they will try and get away with murder.
There is one major, major (this is a technical size definition of the council in question, clearly none of the planning department there have read Catch 22) site where the archaeology has been finished for a few months now but no piling mat has yet been laid and the cabins have recently been taken back by the rental company. This one is a bit of a concern as it will leave a dirty great hole in an important conservation area.