THE time has come for the owners of Mount Crushmore in Trowbridge to put up or ship out after West Wiltshire District Council backed a compulsory purchase order plan.
The former Tesco site in St Stephen's Place is owned by Thiyan Investments.
Their agent, Frank Mountain, has been promising to develop the site since the company purchased it several years ago.
The district council gave Thiyan planning permission and offered assistance at every turn but Mr Mountain's numerous promises to transform the site into shops, a restaurant, bar and gym have been consistently broken.
Last night district councillors voted unanimously in favour of pursuing a compulsory purchase order action on the site.
The cost to the council in legal fees is likely to be about £3,000, depending on the length of the inquiry.
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Council officers will now search for a developer who will purchase the land from the council as soon as the purchase order has been approved.
The hope is that the new developer will move the site forward.
Ian Gallin, corporate director, said: "There are a number of developers looking at St Stephen's Place and Castle Street at any one time."
Cllr Graham Payne, leader of the council said: "I do not need to spell out what the population of Trowbridge think about Mount Crushmore.
"As councillors, we have all had experience of people coming up to us and asking how long it will be before the mountains of rubble disappear.
"We have been patient with the developers of the site and more than helpful.
"The people of Trowbridge have a very low opinion of the owners of this site."
Cllr Jeff Osborn said: "What we are dealing with here is a rogue developer, it seems. People have finally got the message that it is through no fault of the council that this site has languished for so long."
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mountain said: "I am surprised. I didn't know anything about it. I'm pretty annoyed by the attitude of the council.
"We've been trying to get a meeting with them in the last few weeks because we've got new plans for the site.
"It's a mixed housing and retail offering centred around a care home. We think it works brilliantly on the site. We're in delicate discussions with partners. We could have a planning application in within eight weeks.
"The last scheme was made difficult because the council gave planning permission to other developers on nearby sites.
"There's only so many retail companies that want to come to Trowbridge and with the difficult market conditions it meant we could not get the retail tenants."
Posted by: Dave, Trowbridge on 12:00pm Thu 8 May 08
Well dont WWDC, its now time to rid this cancer from the centre of Trowbridge. This developer is a waste of space.
[quote]Cllr Graham Payne, leader of the council said: "I do not need to spell out what the population of Trowbridge think about Mount Crushmore.
"As councillors, we have all had experience of people coming up to us and asking how long it will be before the mountains of rubble disappear.
"We have been patient with the developers of the site and more than helpful.
"The people of Trowbridge have a very low opinion of the owners of this site."[/quote]
Couldn't of put it better myself, well said Mr Payne
[quote]Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mountain said: "I am surprised. I didn't know anything about it. I'm pretty annoyed by the attitude of the council.
"We've been trying to get a meeting with them in the last few weeks because we've got new plans for the site.
"It's a mixed housing and retail offering centred around a care home. We think it works brilliantly on the site. We're in delicate discussions with partners. We could have a planning application in within eight weeks.
"The last scheme was made difficult because the council gave planning permission to other developers on nearby sites.
"There's only so many retail companies that want to come to Trowbridge and with the difficult market conditions it meant we could not get the retail tenants."[/quote]
What a load of s**t! There has only been one development that has been given the go ahead for retail and this is the Wincanton scheme. The waterside project is simply for leisue. If Mr Mountain got his finger out this site would of been completed 18 months ago, he and Thiyan had first pickings on all potential tenants but, you sat back and did nothing.
Goodbye, you will not be missed!
Well dont WWDC, its now time to rid this cancer from the centre of Trowbridge. This developer is a waste of space.
Cllr Graham Payne, leader of the council said: "I do not need to spell out what the population of Trowbridge think about Mount Crushmore.
"As councillors, we have all had experience of people coming up to us and asking how long it will be before the mountains of rubble disappear.
"We have been patient with the developers of the site and more than helpful.
"The people of Trowbridge have a very low opinion of the owners of this site."
Couldn't of put it better myself, well said Mr Payne
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Mountain said: "I am surprised. I didn't know anything about it. I'm pretty annoyed by the attitude of the council.
"We've been trying to get a meeting with them in the last few weeks because we've got new plans for the site.
"It's a mixed housing and retail offering centred around a care home. We think it works brilliantly on the site. We're in delicate discussions with partners. We could have a planning application in within eight weeks.
"The last scheme was made difficult because the council gave planning permission to other developers on nearby sites.
"There's only so many retail companies that want to come to Trowbridge and with the difficult market conditions it meant we could not get the retail tenants."
What a load of s**t! There has only been one development that has been given the go ahead for retail and this is the Wincanton scheme. The waterside project is simply for leisue. If Mr Mountain got his finger out this site would of been completed 18 months ago, he and Thiyan had first pickings on all potential tenants but, you sat back and did nothing.
Posted by: Russell Hawker, WESTBURY on 12:49pm Thu 8 May 08
I'm impressed by this decision from the WWDC cabinet to proceed with a compulsory purchase order if a developer can be found to buy the site in a back to back deal with the council.
I hope this succeeds, but I believe it is fraught with difficulties such as finding a new developer who can show that they have the tenants to enable the original scheme to proceed.
If they do not have the tenants, it is very doubtful that they can raise the money from lenders and justify and purchase, let alone a compulsory purchase order.
There is a lot to the valuation process, which can get very complex as the legal arguments play out about the true value of the site and which planning permission is to be assumed.
From an academic point of view, this will be a very interesting one to watch.
As a local resident, I wish the council all the best in pulling something worthwhile out of this mess.
I have to say that Mr Fountain is quite right to point out that the rug was pulled from under his scheme when the council granted planning permission for a competitive scheme. It should have been obvious that doing so would ruin the line up of tenants Mr Fiuntain had to start with, not least because tenants will be trying to play one scheme off against the other.
I'll keep my fingers crossed ... but the potential for nothing to happen is high.
I'm impressed by this decision from the WWDC cabinet to proceed with a compulsory purchase order if a developer can be found to buy the site in a back to back deal with the council.
I hope this succeeds, but I believe it is fraught with difficulties such as finding a new developer who can show that they have the tenants to enable the original scheme to proceed.
If they do not have the tenants, it is very doubtful that they can raise the money from lenders and justify and purchase, let alone a compulsory purchase order.
There is a lot to the valuation process, which can get very complex as the legal arguments play out about the true value of the site and which planning permission is to be assumed.
From an academic point of view, this will be a very interesting one to watch.
As a local resident, I wish the council all the best in pulling something worthwhile out of this mess.
I have to say that Mr Fountain is quite right to point out that the rug was pulled from under his scheme when the council granted planning permission for a competitive scheme. It should have been obvious that doing so would ruin the line up of tenants Mr Fiuntain had to start with, not least because tenants will be trying to play one scheme off against the other.
I'll keep my fingers crossed ... but the potential for nothing to happen is high.
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 1:17pm Thu 8 May 08
Doom and Naysayers department...
Obviously it's a bad situation - one can't help thinking though that this move is just likely to guarantee Thiyan a profit and enrich m'learned friends.
Words like "find a new developer" don't exactly bode well for disposing of the site if the action succeeds.
As to £3000 bill for legals - a couple of days from a decent barrister - yeah, sure , that's really confidence inspiring - can the council recover it's legal costs from Thiyan? - I wonder....
I reckon it's going to be messy and expensive - for taxpayers - yet again - remember Southwick Leisure Centre!!!!!!
Doom and Naysayers department...
Obviously it's a bad situation - one can't help thinking though that this move is just likely to guarantee Thiyan a profit and enrich m'learned friends.
Words like "find a new developer" don't exactly bode well for disposing of the site if the action succeeds.
As to £3000 bill for legals - a couple of days from a decent barrister - yeah, sure , that's really confidence inspiring - can the council recover it's legal costs from Thiyan? - I wonder....
I reckon it's going to be messy and expensive - for taxpayers - yet again - remember Southwick Leisure Centre!!!!!!
Posted by: super pip, trowbridge on 5:32pm Thu 8 May 08
Is this council still threatening, just bloody do it and get rid. Whats the council after, a medal. Do it, i'm sure the tax payers are fed up of the politics. Buy it or shut up. Action not another 2ys of BULL!
Is this council still threatening, just bloody do it and get rid. Whats the council after, a medal. Do it, i'm sure the tax payers are fed up of the politics. Buy it or shut up. Action not another 2ys of BULL!
About time. Sadly it'll be another 15 years before that site gets any investment now I reckon, when money becomes freely available again.
A lost opportunity perhaps.
About time. Sadly it'll be another 15 years before that site gets any investment now I reckon, when money becomes freely available again.
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 2:01am Fri 9 May 08
£50K+ for expenses, Thiyan get the "going rate" for a prime town centre development site which WWDC (soon to be defunct so they don't give a toss)will borrow money (if they can...)to pay for and be unable to sell. It's got the makings of a fiasco.
Now where have I seen something similar eh?
I really, truly, hope my crystal ball's on the blink
£50K+ for expenses, Thiyan get the "going rate" for a prime town centre development site which WWDC (soon to be defunct so they don't give a toss)will borrow money (if they can...)to pay for and be unable to sell. It's got the makings of a fiasco.
Now where have I seen something similar eh?
I really, truly, hope my crystal ball's on the blink
Posted by: Alex Zivojinovich, Wiltshire on 5:30pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]realistic old man[/bold] wrote:
This could be the site for the gypsies that North Wilts DC is looking for !!!!!!!![/quote] They'd be close enough then that they wouldnt need getaway cars. lol
realistic old man wrote:
This could be the site for the gypsies that North Wilts DC is looking for !!!!!!!!
They'd be close enough then that they wouldnt need getaway cars. lol
Posted by: moonrakin_wurzel, Trowbridge on 6:51pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]realistic old man[/bold] wrote:
This could be the site for the gypsies that North Wilts DC is looking for !!!!!!!![/quote] I'd bet they (diddys) wouldn't take it!
realistic old man wrote:
This could be the site for the gypsies that North Wilts DC is looking for !!!!!!!!
Posted by: upforit, trowbridge on 8:23pm Fri 9 May 08
Incompetent council and councillors beyond belief, where has there been ‘due diligence’. Left to their own devices (councillors and councillors) Trowbridge is heading nowhere fast. It has got a terrible reputation outside and is deemed a rough-**** place full of low life scum bags. How many years has there been talk about re-development. Look at Bath, moving along nicely if you ask me. Can anyone tell me when the first brick will be laid that starts the re-development?
Council and Councillors – YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR DEPTH – but I suppose we council tax payers just have to keep forking out to keep you dismal lot afloat!
Incompetent council and councillors beyond belief, where has there been ‘due diligence’. Left to their own devices (councillors and councillors) Trowbridge is heading nowhere fast. It has got a terrible reputation outside and is deemed a rough-**** place full of low life scum bags. How many years has there been talk about re-development. Look at Bath, moving along nicely if you ask me. Can anyone tell me when the first brick will be laid that starts the re-development?
Council and Councillors – YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR DEPTH – but I suppose we council tax payers just have to keep forking out to keep you dismal lot afloat!
Posted by: Alex Zivojinovich, Wiltshire on 12:26pm Sat 10 May 08
Upforit is right when he remarks on the perceived reputation of Trowbridgeski. It has lost it's identity. This is not helped by poor or weak decision making by Council. It is indeed viewed as a rough, crime ridden hell hole from the surrounding towns.
Upforit is right when he remarks on the perceived reputation of Trowbridgeski. It has lost it's identity. This is not helped by poor or weak decision making by Council. It is indeed viewed as a rough, crime ridden hell hole from the surrounding towns.
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