Response from Rodney Stone, Chief Executive, TWBC - 31 March 2003

Our ref: RJS/ALI
Date: 31 March 2003

TELEPHONE HOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Thank you for your letter of the 25 March 2003. The answer to your question is that I do not know as the figure is still a matter of negotiation between our solicitors and Crest Nicholson.

Yours sincerely
Rodney Stone
Chief Executive

THE AGENDA - EXEMPT ITEMS

It is proposed that, pursuant to section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the next item of buisiness on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act, by virtue of the particular paragraphs shown on the agenda and on the attached reports.

8. Joint Reports of the Borough Secretary and Solicitor [ Martin Harris ] and Head of Planning and Building Control [ Nigel Eveleigh ]
(C) Telephone House, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells, (Paragraph 14) (WAP/02/05/09) (pW41)

MINUTES

TELEPHONE HOUSE, CHURCH ROAD, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

WAP 117/02
The Borough Secretary and Solicitor and the Head of Planning and Building Control Services presented a joint report (WAP/02/05/09 - 9 May 2002) which sought Members' agreement to negotiate a settlement to the developers' claim for costs arising out of an appeal against the Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the development of the site at Telephone House, Church Road, Tunbridge Wells.

Members noted that on 18 October 2000, the Committee voted to refuse an application for the development of the above site consisting of the demolition to the existing building and the erection of 43 flats with basement level parking. The application was subject of an appeal to the Secretary of State. A public inquiry was held in May 2001 and the Inspector allowed the appeal and granted planning permission for the development. The inspector also ordered that the Council should pay the developers, Crest Homes (South East Ltd and Southgate Developments Ltd), the costs of the appeal proceedings. Following this decision the solicitors acting for the developers submitted their bills of costs.

Members noted that the developers had commenced formal Cost Assessment proceedings in the High Court. The hearing of the assessment proceedings is due to take place in July 2003 and the solicitor acting for the developers had indicated that they were prepared to negotiate their claim. Members agreed to the Borough Secretary and Solicitor entering into negotiations with the developers.

RESOLVED - That the Borough Secretary and Solicitor be authorised to attempt to negotiate a settlement of this matter under the terms set out in paragraph (4) of the report.

NOTE:
The Telephone House Public Inquiry was held 1-4 May 2001;
The Planning Inspector's appeal decision and cost decision were issued 3 July 2001.

What went wrong with the Telephone House Planning Applications ? 2001 - The uneasy questions to the Chief Executive Rodney Stone and other senior officers of TWBC 2003 - the questions are still unanswered - they are as intriguing as in 2001.

After the Public Inquiry, during summer/autumn 2001 - The Attitude of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Chief Executive and Director of Operational Services towards residents and rate payers

Could the Inspector's decisions have been challenged ?

Whom are we dealing with ? - The developers of Telephone House, Tunbridge Wells

The Telephone House Neighbours Association, Tunbridge Wells The aims are to heighten peoples' awareness and concern for the controversial planning permission of the high density development of Telephone House site, Church Road / York Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1.