Council of Harlow considers court intervention to recover absent housing blueprints
In the bustling town of Harlow, Essex, the highly anticipated Gilden Park development, home to over 1,000 residences, has faced a setback. The planned community facilities, including sports pitches, allotments, a community center, retail units, and a new primary school, have yet to see the light of day.
The developers, Persimmon, Barratt David Wilson, and Taylor Wimpey, have been granted planning permission by the Harlow Council for these facilities, but progress has been slower than anticipated. The developers have acknowledged the frustrations of residents and apologized for the delay.
However, the Gilden Park Consortium, responsible for the development, has not provided an 'enforceable and realistic program' for the completion of these facilities as agreed upon in June. This lack of progress has led to concerns, and the Harlow Council is now seeking permission from the High Court to apply for an injunction, which would halt further occupancy at Gilden Park until all facilities are completed.
The Conservative Harlow councillor, Michael Hardware, has stated that the developers have not fulfilled their obligations. The Gilden Park Consortium, on the other hand, is actively engaged in discussions with the Harlow Council to expedite the completion of the facilities.
The developers were expected to complete the construction of community facilities and a new primary school as part of the planning permission granted by Harlow Council. The primary school was intended to accommodate the growing number of children in the area as a result of the development.
The delay in the completion of these facilities has left the residents of Gilden Park without access to essential community spaces. The lack of a primary school is particularly concerning for families with young children.
As the situation unfolds, the Harlow Council and the Gilden Park Consortium continue their discussions, aiming to find a solution that benefits the residents of Gilden Park and upholds the initial promises made by the developers.
