It is really unacceptable that residents moving into new builds are facing issues as a result of developers moving on before works are completed. This is something affecting a number of developments across Cheshire, particularly in areas including Saighton Camp and Wychwood Village.
Aphra Brandreth, MP for Chester South and Eddisbury, has raised the issues residents face on a number of occasions with Government, local councils and developers directly, and today asked what more can be done to empower councils to refuse future planning permission to developers with a record of leaving developments incomplete.
She noted that the previous Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Act gave councils more powers in this area, and said she is pleased that the Government is looking at how those powers can be better implemented.
Speaking in the Commons, Aphra explained,
"There are a number of new build housing developments in my constituency of Chester South and Eddisbury where developers have sold the properties and moved on without completing the work for vital infrastructure like roads and sewers. What consideration has the Secretary of State given to allowing councils to refuse future planning permission to developers with a record of leaving developments incomplete?"
Matthew Pennycook MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, replied,
"Well, as part of the proposals we set out in a build-out working paper last year, we are looking at some of the powers in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act that do allow local planning authorities to refuse planning permissions to developers who consistently don't build out. On the issue of highways, if she would like to write to me with some more detail, I'll happily respond to her."
