No Doubt About It

The site of the pub is now fenced off with the JCB inside.  No doubt about what is going to happen next.

Shape of Things to Come?

There is currently a large JCB and lorry loaded with building supplies on the pub car park. Is the demolition work about to commence? Or have they been simply parking overnight?  No doubt we'll soon find out.

The Council Speaks (Again)

This has to be a first.  SBC has responded to our earlier comment about a lack of information concering the current state of the planning application.  All credit to the Borough Council for keeping the local community informed.  We at The Blog are well impressed.  You can see their reply in one of the comments to the post dated 9th November.

The planning permission expires on 15th December which gives the owners just a few more weeks to get on with it.  Apparently they are doing so meaning that demolition work will start imminently.

What the Papers Say

We've just come across an article in this morning's papers about revocation of planning permission in cases where no development work has taken place within a particular period of time following approval.  The move is designed to prevent "land banking" where developers hoard land while waiting for house prices to rise.

However, it could also effect sites like the George & Dragon where the property is acquired simply for the purpose of acquiring planning permission and then selling it on at a profit.

Apparently, it will be down to the local council to decide on how long the planning permission is valid for with a figure of three years being suggested.   Once the time limit has been reached, developers will have to reapply.  Previously, it seems that planning permission could be easily extended but not so now.

The bad news for the owners of the G&D is that their planning permission was granted in December 2010  ...  and the three years will be up on the 15th of next  month!