Developers could be taxed for sitting on ‘undeveloped land’
HOUSING developers who sit on ‘undeveloped land’ could be forced into paying council tax or made subject to compulsory purchase orders in a bid to speed up construction projects.
Hyndburn council chiefs say they have a ‘long list’ of sites which have received planning permission in recent years, but remain undeveloped.
Leader Miles Parkinson said they have gone through some ‘lean years’ of housing development but there is now increased interest from national and local housebuilders.
Speaking at a recent resources overview and scrutiny meeting, he said: “There are still issues around previous planning applications. There’s a long list and I will be asking the head of planning to give me that list of why these developments haven’t proceeded. It’s mainly down to viability.”
Coun Judith Addison, who sits on the planning committee, said up until now it has been ‘outside of our control’.
She told the meeting: “There have been some large planning applications for housing, including two in Clayton-le-Moors that have never been carried out.
“There was one for a mixed development of the Junction 7 Business Park and a big one for housing at the Clayton Triangle along the canal. These have now expired as they’ve gone over the three years [deadline].
“Sometimes we do pass planning applications but then the developer for whatever reason never goes ahead. We can’t force people to build.”
In 2011 planning permission was granted to build 200 family homes at Junction 7 as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment and 95 houses and 24 apartments at the Clayton Triangle.
Coun Gareth Molineux said a green paper has been submitted to the government in a bid to put pressure on developers.
He said: “The government are aware that there are quite a lot of developers who are buying land, getting planning permission for a substantial amount of houses and then waiting for the time to be right to sell it.
“The government have seen that and part of the consultation process is, if it’s not developed or started being developed after three years, whether the council can then charge council tax or give councils powers for compulsory purchase.
“We have been very proactive in trying to deliver the government’s targets for housing, but I think it’s also really important to note that we’ve had a sensible approach to it which has allowed us to protect our green belt to make sure our townships stay distinct.”