We can’t wait decades for schemes to start

Concern is growing over the future of the Great Haddon development on the edge of Peterborough. The PT’s report this week highlighting the issues and the probability that planning permission will be turned down raises question marks about a development that is a huge part of the city’s future - with its target of building over 5,000 homes and creating 9,000 jobs. Council leader John Holdich expresses frustration that relations between the developers involved appear to have broken down - understandably, and quite rightly, he says the time has come to get cracking or let someone else step in. But for local people the story will have an ominously familiar ring... big plans, exhibitions to launch it, fanfare at its inception and then... precious little. That sequence of events could apply to the south bank, North Westgate among others... lots of talk, exciting plans, years pass by, then new plans, more fanfare and then more delays. Fletton Quays - on the site known as the south bank is underway - but that site was long overdue a decade ago. North Westgate has had several plans submitted only to find itself once again mired in uncertainty. House building on the Great Haddon site was due to start in 2011. Cllr Holdich and the city council are quite right to take a tough line and demand progress or changes but for our readers the question remains why does this take so long? It’s already six years past the slated start date for housing. Will it be another five or ten years before the diggers move in? That’s why the council is right to force the issue now and why it and we can’t wait another five years before things start moving.