Sold Subject to Contract

Well, according to RightMove, the site is still sold subject to contract.

Site Sold?

A number of websites advertising the sale of the G&D site on behalf of the agents report that it has been sold subject to contract.

Before & After

One of our readers has requested a "Before and After" photo to show how decisions made by the local authority's decisions determine the look and feel of our community.  Click on the image for a larger view.

The "after" picture was, of course, taken before the wind blew all the fencing down!  Perhaps we'll take another one showing what a right mess the place has become.

That's It

The last remaining vestiges of what had been the George & Dragon were demolished yesterday afternoon.  All that remains is a pile of rubble.

There'll  be no final epitaph from us.  We did this a long time ago as previous posts will bear testimony.  However, we aren't going anywhere.  If anything, the real challenge is only just beginning.  A vacant plot will no doubt soon attract the attention of the less desirable.  The owners have a legal obligation to comply with the provisions of the planning permission and ensure that it remains fenced off and secure until such time as development is completed.  Given the evidence to date, that may be some time off.

In the meantime, residents will need to be vigilant.

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!

The Council Speaks

We've now had a reply from SBC.  Here is the full text of their response.

"The decision on this application is still pending".

And that's it.  Now you know as much as we do.  We'll look into this some more and be in touch.

No News

Strange thing.  Since the "demolition" notice appeared, nothing has happened!  We've tried to get in touch with Staffs BC to find out what's going on but have heard nothing.  No change there then.  We're writing this post just to let you know that we here at the Blog are still keeping an eye on things - despite the long silence which isn't helped by interference from the day job.  We'll chase Staffs BC again shortly and keep you posted.

Demolition Notice

Looks like the pub is about to be knocked down.  There is a notice from SBC pinned to it announcing that demolition work will commence on 8th July.

A Result

Well done the Parish Council!  Most of the fly-tipped rubbish was removed today.  There is still some left although it might just be the owners' idea of a security barrier to prevent access to the rear of the pub.  Not perfect by any means but much better than it was before.

Fly Tipping - Update

Just to let readers know that the Parish Council has taken action on the continued fly tipping on the pub site.  They have been in touch with Environmental Services at SBC who have in turn served a notice on the owners for litter and refuse.  They are also meeting with them shortly to ensure compliance.

It seems that they were due to meet this Thursday but someone cancelled the meeting which has been rescheduled for 11th March.

Thanks due to the Parish Council!  We'll keep you posted.

Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone!  We aren't sure what it will bring in terms of the pub but let's hope, whatever happens, it's in the best interests of the community.

Here We Go Again

Whether Milwood Ltd bought the pub from the previous owners or not is now immaterial.  The pub is up for sale again as a development site with planning permission.

Update

Clearly someone owns the pub!  Workmen have been around this week boarding up the windows and not before time too.  Whether this is due to council or police pressure brought about to address the use of the premises for drug related activities, we don't know.

And with regard to ownership, as far as we have been able to establish, Milwood Ltd. are now the owners of the pub having negotiated the sale directly with the previous owners.  This might explain why the "for sale" sign came down before we heard that the pub had been sold. 

What happens next, though, is still anybody's guess.  Whether Milwood will sell the site on to another party or wait until economic circumstances improve remains to be seen.  And, of course, they may well have some other motive for not taking any action for the moment.  We've written to their representative who emailed us back in June but so far we have yet to receive the courtesy of a reply.  Seems to be par for the course with email.  If you don't want to reply, just ignore it.

As usual, if you hear of any other developments do let us know.

Curious & Curiouser

You may have seen the article in tonight's Sentinel reporting that Milwood Ltd. no longer intend to develop the pub site.  The article, however, does not say what the company plan to do with it.  We have written to the Milwood representative who contacted The Blog back in June and will let you know as soon as we hear something.

In the meantime, if you are able to shed any further light on the situation please get in touch.

Still No News

What more can we add?  We still haven't heard anything.  Has there been a change of plan?  Has the money dried up?  Or have the new owners got other irons in the fire which are taking priority?

Communication from the New Owners

So now we know.  The pub has definitely been sold and the new owners intend to submit a new planning application.  The pub has been bought by Stoke-on-Trent based Milwood Ltd and The Blog has received the following email from their representative.  Without making any judgement either way, it has to be said that the email in itself represents a step in the right direction amounting to 100% more communication than we received from the previous owners!  Anyway, here is the text of the email.  All comments (printable ones only please!) welcome.

"Dear All,

I became aware of your Blog with regard to the above property, and would like to make an entry into the same.

Given the previous Planning Applications, Ward Councillor and local community objection and involvement etc, I felt it only right and proper to contact you with regard to the same.

I will also be sending an email to all three of the Ward Councillors, to advise them accordingly.

We, being Milwood Ltd, are proposing to re-develop the above property, and will shortly be submitting a Planning Application to Stafford Borough Council for that purpose.

As you are aware, the property received a Planning Permission (10/14268/FUL) on the 15^th December 2010 for the development of seven detached dwellings, being made up of two 2 storey dwellings and five 2 ½ storey dwellings.

Our proposal is identical to that of the previous Planning Permission, being for seven detached dwellings, excepting that all of our dwellings will be traditional 2 storey.

Unlike the previously approved Housetypes, that were simply created to gain a Planning Permission, ours are tried and tested formal Housetypes that offer, in my view, much greater aesthetic and architectural merit.

Furthermore, the proposed layout does also offer greater merit in these regards also.

We will maintain a separation distance from the back of Footpath to the two frontage dwellings of circa 4 to 5 metres.

A full Habitat Survey has been undertaken to quantify the question of the Bats and Badgers specifically, which I know was a previous concern.

The existing trees will be maintained, as per the previous Planning Permission.

I would hope that this proposal will be received positively, given that firstly, a Planning Permission already exists to re-develop this site, and secondly, that, in our view, our proposal does represent an improvement over that already approved, which could be implemented at anytime.

The above of course is a summary, and if I can be of any further assistance at this time, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many thanks.

Kind Regards,"

There you  have it.  We have printed the email verbatim (apart from the signatory which we have omitted for privacy reasons).  What do you think?

Curiouser and Curiouser

We're hearing, once more on the grapevine, that the pub might not have been sold after all (the source is a very reliable one). 

There was some activity on the site a few weeks ago involving the Fire Brigade and other visitors which we took to be a precursor to a further planning application or even demolition but now we are hearing that the sale might not have happened.

As usual, we'll let you know when we hear more.