Developers apply for lower buildings

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Sunday 23rd Dec 2007.

BUILDERS have been forced to knock a few feet off the height of proposed homes in a planning wrangle.

Developer Cotswoldgate found itself in the firing line last month when it was noted that five homes it created in Gorse Hill towered above existing buildings.

Now the firm has applied for planning permission to lower the height of the roofs on five buildings.

The action came after Swindon Council's planning committee last month voted for officers to take legal action against the firm.

"The developer was served with an enforcement notice, and this application is their response," said a Swindon Council spokesman.

"On initial examination it appears to address some of the concerns of local residents.

"But planning officers will now look at it in detail before making a recommendation for consideration at the next meeting of the planning committee."

The problem arose because when the developer drew up its plans it miscalculated the height of the next-door buildings.

No-one picked up the error so it was only when the five higher homes were complete that it was realised a mistake had been made.

The matter returned to the planning committee where councillors backed a plan for legal action.

Now the company has applied to lower the height of the offending five buildings.

The company refused to comment.

Coun Maurice Fanning (Lab, Gorse Hill & Pinehurst) said: "I feel this new application is as good as we're going to get on this.

"It isn't what I would want to see.

"I feel the developer tried it on and it upsets me when developers do that.

"I would like to see some harder enforcement action taken.

"That sort of action only needs to happen once or twice for everyone else to sit up and take notice that we are serious.

"After all it is the only way that we as a committee can ensure that the decisions that we take here are upheld."

It is expected the new planning application will go to councillors in January.

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