News

Developer criticised for taking ‘years’ to complete projects and leaving roads unfinished

By Latifa Yedroudj, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

---

A housing developer has been accused of taking ‘years’ to fully finish projects in parts of Nottinghamshire – leaving roads incomplete after residents have moved in.

The record of Langridge Homes has been criticised in a Gedling Borough Council meeting, held to discuss one of its latest projects.

The development of 73 homes on the land south of Main Street in Calverton was approved during the discussion, but councillors questioned whether anything could be done to make sure it is finished quickly once work starts.

Langridge first submitted the original planning application in April 2018 for 79 houses, with permission granted on April 2021.

A new application was later submitted in March 2024 reducing the number of houses to 73.

Councillors approved the plans at the planning committee on Wednesday, April 23.

During the meeting, Cllr Jane Walker (Con) raised concerns about the length of time the development might take to finish, and questioned whether more can be done to speed up the process.

She said: “I’m conscious that this builder takes much longer than other house builders.

“Their projects seem to take years [to complete], Maple Close took years to finish.

“I’m just conscious roads are not done for residents, and I’m concerned about that.

“I don’t know whether there’s any conditions where we can state a time or will it be the same?”

Case officer Nigel Bryan said: “Once permission has been granted it can be built at any rate [the developer] chooses.”

Case officer John Krawczyk said the council “can’t do much” about lengthy developments as it is up to the developer to complete the site in a timely manner.

He added: “I know its been raised by a couple of councillors there are concerns about whether developments will be completed in a timely fashion.

“We are a bit stuck with the system unfortunately. The planning act does allow the service of a completion notice, but it’s not a tool that’s very effective.

“I think the Government are looking at ways to encourage developers to complete sites in a more timely fashion – so neighbouring occupiers aren’t adversely affected for long periods of time.

“Right now, the completion notice would require a developer to complete a site within 12 months and then planning permission is withdrawn.

“Then what happens with the rest of the site? If it’s been stripped or partial build, it will be left without planning permission and they can’t complete it.

“We’d be left with a site that’s probably even worse than a building and then people are potentially living on it. Unfortunately its a quirk of the system that we’re working with, but we can’t do much about it unfortunately.”

The vacant site is surrounded by residential developments to the north and east, with the south boundary of the site being open space and a public footpath.

Five residents objected to the plans following a public consultation, raising concerns about flood risks, noise pollution, traffic congestion and parking.

One also claimed the Calverton village is “not sufficient to support a new development” with an influx of residents.

The plans were later amended to include more public open space, play equipment, as well as changes to surrounding landscape, layout and appearance of the houses.

The houses will have a mixture of frontage parking and
some to the side, and small areas of front gardens and planting to improve its layout.

The developer must also provide £285,720 for a primary school expansion, £195,283 for secondary school places, £42,606 for NHS health facilities, £50,000 for local bus service improvements, and £15,000 for bus stop upgrades.

Documents read: “Concern has been raised about a lack of services to the site and access to infrastructure; however the site is considered to be in a sustainable location, with contributions secured toward education, health and public transport.

“There is no reason to consider why the site would lead significant noise
complaints or mental health issues with the end use residential in nature and the build at the site being temporary in nature.”

Notts TV contacted Langridge Homes Ltd for comment but did not receive a reply.