Hopped Off?

On February 8th, we asked these two related questions concerning the recent tidying up on Glasdir:

Has Taylor Wimpey set things right so that, once the commercial mortgage & insurance market's working, it can continue building? Or, more pessimistically, has it now packed up for good, leaving behind a Chernobyl-like half-completed, half-abandoned estate?

Just over one month later, we probably had the answer. Well, sort of. On February 8th, we remarked that, actually, Taylor Wimpey had not removed the site hopper. The developer  has now done so (after such a long time) and although this is not conclusive, it seems reasonable to assume that they have given Glasdir up as something of a lost cause, at least for now. From certain angles, this leaves the estate looking unfinished and abandoned—which is what it appears to be.

Before... with hopper in the middle ground

In truth, I would doubt that Taylor Wimpey has abandoned Glasdir completely. Given the asset value, they will have ambitions to restart in the future. The problem is, however, that some of the original planning consents have probably now expired. On the one hand, seeking re-approval could simply be a formality. On the other, it will bring into sharp focus some of the concerns about flooding. Will, for example, planners allow building to continue as before or place additional restrictions on Wimpey. If restricted, will planners then be liable for not having done so previously.

Remember the context, which is one of a series of claims against the county council. Could re-opening the planning cycle actually result in action against Wimpey, too?

In any case, as things stand at present, any permission sought from planning may result in the public applying  pressure on the council to stop an irresponsible builder.

Meanwhile, on April 26th, there will be a public meeting to display plans for the two proposed new school at Fferm Glasdir. This, too, will result in the pubic scrutinising the plans and flood defences.