22nd January 2009, 05:55 PM
Well where I work there has been a large drop off in applications for between 2-10 housing units. The massive stuff is still continuing as are some listed building conversions into flats. For where things are located in my patch this does mean that most of the large scale applications will be generating work.
I would broadly say that 50% of applications, for large-scale projects get permission for their first scheme. A proportion of the others will be amended or will be permitted on appeal.
The problem we are having is that many developers are not proceeding to implementation of their schemes once consent has been granted. In one case there is a particularly large site where the buildings have been demolished and the lawyers from that council are now arguing with the developer?s lawyers whether this is actually legal implementation. This is a growing problem of the developer doing a minor part of the works or applying to vary conditions to stretch the process out and avoid spending too much now.
This is not to mention the problems with bank funding and undischarged archaeological conditions that many developers are claiming they are having...
I would broadly say that 50% of applications, for large-scale projects get permission for their first scheme. A proportion of the others will be amended or will be permitted on appeal.
The problem we are having is that many developers are not proceeding to implementation of their schemes once consent has been granted. In one case there is a particularly large site where the buildings have been demolished and the lawyers from that council are now arguing with the developer?s lawyers whether this is actually legal implementation. This is a growing problem of the developer doing a minor part of the works or applying to vary conditions to stretch the process out and avoid spending too much now.
This is not to mention the problems with bank funding and undischarged archaeological conditions that many developers are claiming they are having...