@RNBlake has provided more information about Westferry Printworks decision delay
26th July 2018 Financial Viability Assessments from applicant published on Council website
BUT BNP Paribas not appointed to review them until 30th October, 14 weeks later
2 weeks before 16 week
1/
26th July 2018 Financial Viability Assessments from applicant published on Council website
BUT BNP Paribas not appointed to review them until 30th October, 14 weeks later
2 weeks before 16 week
1/
deadline to make decision
LBTH now use BNP Paribas as preferred consultant to review developers viability models, an automatic choice
So 14 week delay explains why viability analysis late, if you start late you finish late, that is a Council responsibility
For background
2/
LBTH now use BNP Paribas as preferred consultant to review developers viability models, an automatic choice
So 14 week delay explains why viability analysis late, if you start late you finish late, that is a Council responsibility
For background
2/
applicant submits detailed financial model saying what site can deliver based on some assumptions of what they say they can sell apartments for minus build costs = scheme profit & affordable housing %
BNP Paribas employed by Council to check those assumptions are reasonable
3/
BNP Paribas employed by Council to check those assumptions are reasonable
3/
But 2nd mystery remains
Afternoon 26th March, TH Council emailed telling them applicant has appealed to planning inspector
They agree within the hour & agree that appeal best way to make decision
Did not say give us 10 days we are almost ready to make decision
Not till 10th
4/
Afternoon 26th March, TH Council emailed telling them applicant has appealed to planning inspector
They agree within the hour & agree that appeal best way to make decision
Did not say give us 10 days we are almost ready to make decision
Not till 10th
4/
April was their power to make decision formally removed
Why no request for small time extension? given cost & time to organise an appeal I am sure Planning Inspectorate would have agreed
Report suggests around end March/early April 2019 Council had more information to decide
5/
Why no request for small time extension? given cost & time to organise an appeal I am sure Planning Inspectorate would have agreed
Report suggests around end March/early April 2019 Council had more information to decide
5/
By the way the applicant has to submit all of the relevant information at the beginning, if they choose not to do that then you make a decision on what is available
The Council website makes very clear what has to be submitted with each planning application for a decision
6/
The Council website makes very clear what has to be submitted with each planning application for a decision
6/
No evidence that applicant told their application was Invalid due to missing info, would have strengthened case for a delay in appeal if had done so
Reminder Richard Desmond had in January 2016 done the same appealed to others to make decision after Council miss deadline
7/
Reminder Richard Desmond had in January 2016 done the same appealed to others to make decision after Council miss deadline
7/
Other examples of delays as well, why were Place Shaping comments only final 22nd March 2019? Council had first seen larger scheme in November 2017, supplied comments December 17
Scheme was basically same as 2016 scheme, just taller with one extra tower
Same with other issues
8/
Scheme was basically same as 2016 scheme, just taller with one extra tower
Same with other issues
8/
In summary it appears as if both applicant & Council were responsible for delays
Some like to say this was all planned by the developer, they wanted somebody else to make the decision
But why wait until the end March to do this?
& why Council so slow as well?
They knew risks
9/
Some like to say this was all planned by the developer, they wanted somebody else to make the decision
But why wait until the end March to do this?
& why Council so slow as well?
They knew risks
9/
