Permission for 4,300 houses

“Dont be daft lamail, they've already got homes. They're needed for the Bulgarians and Romanians.”

“Well all those Polish and Somalians have to go somewhere”

“mhelenmary- despite your assertion that this is not "political" it clearly is, particularly as you state ""How about the government stepping in and taking over.". Local and national government have always held the upper hand with regards to if, when, where and how mass building projects happen. That's why B&NES local government put a Local Plan/Core Strategy in place. Unfortunately. our democratically elected "political" councillors have made a hash of it.

The housing crisis is as a result of at least 3 successive political governments. It's utterly about politics, the cause, the symptoms and solution. Watch countless more add to the rising homelessness figures of the past 2 years and tell me it's not a result of the welfare reforms and governments policies.”

“Its the same principle as OPEC employ with oil - you might be able to dump a whole load of houses (oil) on the market, but if you do, you are left with none to sell in the future and you'll have sold at a low price due to the market being flooded. So its far better to restrict supply, keep prices up and keeping selling slowly at a higher profit per unit. We saw this with Western Riverside when Crest first came to market with their townhouses at £650k (3bed) and £750k (4 bed) - in reality none of them sold for anything like that (best they got was £650k - one went for £472k at the other end). However its the original prices they are looking to get and they won't get that if they throw 4300 houses quickly onto the market.

Trouble is, in the current climate the public sector isn't going to be able to borrow the money to build them as social housing either.”

“I've got any idea. If we're stuck with the modern-day slavery of workfare, then why not train-up the unemployed to build the houses? That way taxpayer's money would be spent on the public good instead of just subsidising Tory party donors with free labour.

The other great advantage is that they would gain an actual skill, enabling them to get a real-life job, rather than six weeks experience of shelf-stacking.”

“How about the government stepping in and taking over. I feel it is excuses, excuses. What about the empty school building in Broad Street? just boarded up and left. How many years?

What were the reasons for this? running out of money? or just showing how the system can be got round.

If people care that much about the city, do something about the issues. That is why I suggest that there is more allowed public interest in schemes, and that the council answers more to those who voted for them.

Anyway, well done to the Conservatives, at least you are listening. That is not political, I simply do not know who did the homework.”

“'Rogerh3', that's an interesting idea which has merit. There would have to be some form of financial compensation for the original owner of the site I suspect though.

Perhaps you should get in touch with Eric Pickles with your suggestion? :)”

“...the main reason why the majority of these developments are unfinished is because the builders have ran out of cash, and are unable to get finance from the banks."

I wonder. I think often it's (as with the land banks held by the supermarkets) to keep it out of the hands of their rivals. Maybe, though, add in an option to require them to offer such sites (or plots within larger sites) to other builders - including self-builders and housing associations - after a certain period of inactivity.

.”

“Further to my comment below, I have just looked on the Telegraph website, and the annoucement from Eric Pickles was from last August.

In the announcement, he says the hit-squad will only be helping 13 local authorities across the country.

It would be interesting to know if this council made any representations to Mr Pickles for some help from these hit-squads.”

“'Rogerh3', that's a nice idea about the time-limit, but the main reason why the majority of these developments are unfinished is because the builders have ran out of cash, and are unable to get finance from the banks.

A few months ago, Eric Pickles was looking at the idea of sending in hit-squads to complete some of these building sites, but I have heard nothing since.

What this does show is that by getting these developments finished, it will reduce the pressure to find greenfield sites in the future.”