Time's running out

B&NES Council has set itself the deadline of March 2010 to get everything in place for the final part of the BTP funding application. Presumably, this is to try to secure the money before the general election in May 2010.

To be in a position to approach the DfT, the Council has to fulfill certain criteria. Two areas include setting the planning permission in place and owning all the land needed through compulsory purchase orders (CPOs). Currently, the Secretary of State is considering whether to call in two of the four planning applications intrinsic to the scheme. Assuming this part is approved, the CPOs have to be activated and completed. For a list of these properties click here. The CPOs will cost in excess of £7m and there is no guarantee the DfT will endorse the grant.

This contentious plan has caused much anxiety for residents affected by the CPOs, and no doubt they will hold out for as long as possible before being forced to relinquish their property. This then begs the question of how B&NES hope to complete all the necessary stages by next Spring.