Builders seeking £5m for bridge at Lubbesthorpe development
A bid has been submitted for £5 million of Government cash to build a bridge to cope with extra traffic from a proposed development of 4,250 homes.
The application was made by Leicestershire County Council last month to help pay for a bridge over the M1 to the proposed development at Lubbesthorpe.
The homes development has been given the go-ahead by Secretary of State Eric Pickles.
However, developers have said it could stall if the bridge is not built.
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Opponents said the need for Government subsidy was not mentioned in the original plans.
Malcolm Fox, of Leicester Forest East, said: "Needing a Government subsidy for Lubbesthorpe New Town was never mentioned.
"Objectors to New Lubbesthorpe pointed out the poor quality of the proposal, particularly as it affected the surrounding areas.
"Begging for Government subsidy is but the first move in reducing what quality there is in the development."
The consortium of developers behind the proposals, which includes Hallam Land Management, said they could not afford all of the £8.76 million up-front cost of the bridge.
The county's bid is backed by Blaby District Council and the Highways Agency.
Outlining the bid, the applicants said: "The infrastructure requirement has created a burden which, in current market conditions, affects scheme viability in the early stages of the project and presents cash constraint during phase one."
A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council confirmed the authority had backed the call for Government money, which would come from the Local Pinch Point Fund.
He said: "The Government announced a Local Pinch Point Fund last Autumn and we have subsequently submitted a bid for £5 million, which has been supported by Blaby District Council, the developers and the city council."
No-one from the consortium was available for comment. In the application, they have guaranteed to meet any extra costs, should the project overrun.
If the grant is approved, work on the bridge would start in February and be completed in August 2015.
5 Comments
by Richy3
Saturday, March 16 2013, 5:37PM
“I am thinking of buying a new house.I have seen the one I want and have agreed the price for how it is at present.But I think I want the owner to pay my removal costs,take me out for a few meals,redecorate it and pay for a holiday for me and my family.Am I being unreasonable as we have already agreed the purchase price ?”
by lfe29
Saturday, March 16 2013, 3:12PM
“Lets hope the government has some sense then and does not approve the money. It is very clear that the infrastructure is bottom of the list for the developers so why can't BDC see this?
This planning application had been a shambles from the start with thousands of people against the plan but because a few on BDC think its a good idea they seem to be able to override the majority who are against this.
Really hope the government tell them NO.”
by TomBirdMH
Saturday, March 16 2013, 1:49PM
“Shame on the County Council and Blaby for supporting public money being used to fund this bridge that will bring traffic chaos to local residents.
The developers made a commercial decision to go ahead with the planning application. They will profit enourmously from this buidling project. They should fund it, not the tax payer.”
by Graham_LE8
Saturday, March 16 2013, 8:16AM
“If building 4250 homes, plus businesses at New Lubbesthorpe isn't profitable enough for the developers to include the building of this bridge, I suspect the successful receipt of any section 106 monies that might have been due is also pretty low. And you can forget the schools and health centres for another decade.
A common scam by developers - they promise many things to obtain their stated goal in "building a community", but ultimately all they're interested in is to knock up the houses and run off with the proceeds, and the community is left to finish the job and pick up the tab.
Everyone at BDC involved with the scrutiny and approval of New Lubbesthorpe should be thoroughly ashamed, and if they possess any conscience, resign...”
by ladyjanegrey
Saturday, March 16 2013, 7:57AM
“Someone is taking the **** here.It sure is not the local residents.”