Archived Topic
Topic ID 3914
05/11/2008 by Steve
Archer's Spring Tennis Centre
Despite having had planning permission for 8 years and doing nothing, David Lloyd has now submitted ANOTHER application, just as the existing extention to the original plan runs out!
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The original plan was called in by the government and approved after a public enquiry (guess who paid for that!). David Lloyd then did nothing for five years and then applied for an extention. At the same time they tried to get the District Council to drop some of the conditions imposed by the government inspector. Now, after a few more years of inactivity it seems they're trying again. Why?
If you want the background to this long-running saga...
http://www.hertford.net/issues/sports.asp
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 56843
05/11/2008 by James007
I would imagine it's the same application if the time limit has expired from the last one.
Reply ID 56862
06/11/2008 by Steve
Interestingly, the application was submitted in August but not registered until November.
The case is similar to one in Blackpool, where David Lloyd got planning approval for a sports centre, did nothing, got an extention and is again now submitting another application. Blackpool's council have yet to make a decision.
Reply ID 56865
06/11/2008 by shunt
I wouldn't hold your breath on this one. The original sports centre plan in the nineties, depended on being part financed by the gravel on the site. Without that it's a borderline project which is only likely to proceed if the economic climate is just right. It may be a while yet!
Reply ID 56866
06/11/2008 by Steve
quote:
Originally posted by shunt
I wouldn't hold your breath on this one. The original sports centre plan in the nineties, depended on being part financed by the gravel on the site. Without that it's a borderline project which is only likely to proceed if the economic climate is just right. It may be a while yet!
This was before the site was owned by David Lloyd. The gravel extraction was unauthorised and illegal and nothing to do with planning approval. The Council were roundly criticised for their handling of the matter by the government ombudsman. Read up on the history (link above).
David Lloyd have owned the site for eight years. What circumstances are they waiting for? Why buy a site, get planning permission and then do nothing? If memory serves, they've been through two changes of ownership since.
Reply ID 56868
06/11/2008 by Frenchie
I assume keeping the planning permission intact inflates the value if they need to sell it.
Reply ID 56870
06/11/2008 by exiled_in_Reading
quote:
Originally posted by Frenchie
I assume keeping the planning permission intact inflates the value if they need to sell it.
Correct. They will almost certainly have used the site as collateral to borrow against further acquisitions to add to their land bank..
6 replies