Council has power to halt homes development
ENFORCEMENT action giving the council the power to stop construction and occupation of homes in areas of Barry Waterfront has been approved.
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s planning committee has given authority to planning officers to issue a breach of condition enforcement notice and a stop notice to the developers of Barry Waterfront.
The notices give the council the power to require either a halt to the occupation of certain units within the development or a halt to construction of certain elements of the development until the District Centre, or elements of it, are delivered.
Authorisation has also been given to begin legal action if the notices are not complied with.
A temporary 28-day stop notice had already been issued to the consortium of developers ahead of the meeting preventing the sale of any new homes, but more permanent action can now be taken.
The council says it has taken action following repeated delays to construction of the district centre of shops and restaurants originally due for completion in September 2017.
It means the council will have the power to halt to the occupation of market-price homes within the South Quay Parkside area of Barry Waterfront, until all the restaurants and cafe units planned in the District Centre area of the development are delivered.
The council will also be able to tell the developers to stop construction of market-price homes of the next phase of the South Quay Waterside development, which includes plans for 171 properties.
Councillor Jonathan Bird, cabinet member for planning and regeneration said: “It is not acceptable for the developers to show such scant regard to their obligations. Barry Waterfront is now a thriving community and we want to see development continue in this vein. This means delivering the scheme agreed at the outset, not simply one part of it.
“The council’s planning team has issued the Waterfront Development Consortium with a 28-day stop notice. This means they could be prosecuted if they enable the further occupation of affected properties during this time.
“The council’s planning committee has now approved a formal stop notice that could prohibit further occupation until we are satisfied they are working to meet their obligations under the planning permission they were granted, and deliver the district centre.”
The consortium of developers, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and Persimmon, said: “We have met with Vale of Glamorgan Council to discuss the delay to the delivery of the District Centre and we are working positively to address matters.”