Welsh housebuilders face legal action over lack of green space
Three major housebuilders in Barry could face serious legal consequences after they failed to provide enough green spaces within a development.
Vale of Glamorgan council have claimed that three housebuilders, including Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, and Barratt Homes, are selling houses on a new development at Barry Waterfront with little progress being made on elements such as play areas.
The local authority has claimed as a result, they made seek an injunction which could stop buyers from moving into the properties until the amenities are constructed. However, in response, the firms declared they were committed to delivering new homes ‘as quickly as possible’.
At the new development, the three developers are behind plans for 2000 new hoes, as well as building retain units, offices, and a new primary school. Although, a proposed park plan is currently a mound of earth surrounded by wooden pallets and skips.
Council leader, Lis Burnett, said: ‘There has been a catalogue of broken promises and weak excuses for the lack of progress, yet remarkably, these issues do not seem to be affecting the developers.’
Ms Burnett added that the companies are only ‘interested in profit not people’ and insisted the local authority would do everything in their ‘power to hold developers to account.’
As part of the planning agreement, which was granted by the council, the developers are supposed to provide a series of amenities alongside the houses which can include new schools, parks, shops, and green spaces.
Following this issue, developers met with the council in June and have said: We have since devised and commenced a detailed programme of works, which has been shared in full with the Vale of Glamorgan council.
‘We will continue to work with the Vale council to complete these areas and the Barry waterfront regeneration project to the highest standard.’
Image: Brett Jordan
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