Buyer hit with costs as planning delay stops move

A man said he has faced unexpected costs after pulling out of buying a shared-ownership home because he was unable to move in as the developer had not fulfilled planning conditions.

Simon Hawking, 49, who lives in Milton Keynes, planned to move into a two-bedroom house that was part of the Prospect Place development in Rushden, Northamptonshire, in March.

North Northamptonshire Council said the development was subject to a number of conditions such as improving roads.

The project's developer Vistry said: "While a significant number of homes have now been built, they cannot be occupied until the outstanding pre-occupation planning requirements have been satisfied."

Hawking said: "It's given me sleepless nights. It has been stressful, I've started a new job, so it has taken a massive toll and stress and even the people I work with have said [that] since I've pulled out they can see a relaxation.

"But that I'm still tense because obviously I'm wondering what's next."

About 130 affordable homes were due to be built as part of the Prospect Place development.

The council said the project was approved on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate in 2023 and improvements to highway safety, such as access to and within the site, and ecology and landscape measures were part of the conditions.

Hawking said he had hoped to move into the property in March when his rental agreement was ending.

"I've cancelled my purchase. I can't go off a never-ending deadline and the fact that they haven't been transparent with me from the beginning that these issues existed," Hawking said.

Hawking said he had received some compensation from Platform Housing Group, the housing association behind the development, adding: "They've repaid my solicitor's fees and they've repaid costs relating to the mortgage but I have lost out in other ways.

"The mortgage I had was a cashback mortgage, it was tied to this property, so I can't move it to another property.

"I'm currently paying storage which they've refused to pay, I think they should because it is ultimately their fault."

Hawking said he had contacted Gen Kitchen, the MP for Wellingborough and Rushden, for help.

Kitchen said: "We have been in contact with Vistry, North Northamptonshire Council and Homes England and are very concerned about the situation he has been placed in and the financial costs [Hawking] has incurred."

A spokesperson for Vistry said: "We are working closely with the local planning authority and highways authority to progress these matters as quickly as possible.

"Recent meetings between all parties have remained positive, and we remain focused on finding a solution that will allow homes to be handed over and occupied at the earliest opportunity."

Paula Heatley, the director of development and sales at Platform Housing Group, said: "We recognise the personal and financial impact this situation may have had on individuals and families.

"We remain committed to supporting customers throughout this process and have maintained regular contact with those affected. This has included providing compensation where appropriate and in line with our policies."

"We apologise that this process has taken longer than originally anticipated. However, it is essential that all parties are satisfied that the necessary planning, design and safety requirements have been fully addressed before homes can be handed over."

North Northamptonshire Council said: "The council's priority is ensuring [the] requirements are met before occupation takes place to help ensure the site can be accessed safely and the impact on the local road network is properly managed.

"We continue to work with the developer on a way forward to enable us to sign off the planning conditions."

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