Minister backs fast-track housing plan for Podsmead 'bomb site'
PLANS for a brownfield 'bomb site' in Gloucester are being held up as a national example for driving economic growth.
Government planning minister Nick Boles visited a 22-acre site of derelict land off Bristol Road last week, formerly home of Wellman Graham, St Gobain and Contract Chemicals, earmarked for a fast-track housing development.
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VISIT: planning minister Nick Boles, middle, with coun Jennie Dallimore, coun Colin Organ, council leader Paul James, Nick Lee, from Commercial Estates Group, and MP Richard Graham.
He is now calling for councils to help further growth by renegotiating the terms of section 106 agreements with developers, the amount of cash paid out to community projects on completion of housing schemes.
"We are incredibly keen for brownfield sites like this to be brought forward as soon as possible for use for housing," said Mr Boles. "There is a desperate need for more housing, not just for Gloucester but the whole country.
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"There are lots of sites around the country that are held back by agreements put in place when property was booming for section 106 agreements that can't be supported by current values.
"We will be changing the law to make it easier for developers to renegotiate those agreements. Some councils are refusing to do that, but fortunately in Gloucester, the city council is renegotiating without being told to do so."
Conservative MP for Gloucester Richard Graham said: "This 22-acres has a huge amount of potential. This land has been sitting here for too long with nothing happening. We have owners who are keen to get going and there is a market for this. The council is now on the right track and if we can get the application in for the December planning meeting then it will be a very happy Christmas."
Comments
by honslknjklyt
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 1:31AM
“Richard Graham needs to clean his shoes, I bet he needed stabilisers to walk on uneven ground.”
by Bonkim2003
Tuesday, October 30 2012, 12:41AM
“cortezcortez - contamination if any will have to be dealt with by the developer and the Environmental Agency satisfied before construction can proceed.
That is the general idea - to utilize land which was previously built on first and to safeguard green-field sites.”
by SELINA30
Monday, October 29 2012, 9:09PM
“"Local people say there are plans for a Supermarket on the land. No truth in that then?”
by cortezcortez
Monday, October 29 2012, 8:00PM
“Local people used to say the land was contaminated no truth in that then ?”