SHIPSTON is one step closer to a new Scout hut after a court in Birmingham agreed that housing developers should hand over £125,000.vvThe money was due from a ‘Section 106’ agreement made in 2001 following the development of The Village off Tilemans Lane.
Pettifer Construction and several other firms were given permission by Stratford District Council to build more than 200 homes on the condition they provided land to build a community hall and donate £125,000 towards the building.
At the time the district council did not claim the money but it was agreed the Scouts should receive the money for a new hut as a new community hall on the site was not thought to be viable.
After a three-year campaign by district councillor for Shipston Richard Cheney, the council agreed to pursue a legal case to claim the money back from the developers.
Coun Cheney is delighted with the decision. He said: “This will be appreciated by both the Scouts and the local community. As it has taken so long, the original planning permission has run out of time. I am now asking the district council to waive the fees required for a new planning application.”
Over the last seven years the Scouts have raised nearly £20,000 towards the new building but will have to reapply for planning permission after their original plans expired.
Group Scout leader David Wright, who has been with the Scouts 33 years, is happy with the decision.
He said: “We are very pleased that the judgement has been made in favour of the district council. We are hoping it will come through and we can put in place our plans once again.
“The old hut is very run down. It was built in the 1960s and is well past its sell-by date. It’s not insulated. It’s not just used the Scouts – it’s also used by the Guides, a dance school and a mother and toddler group.
Hopefully the district council will waive the planning fee.”
April 2012 Minutes