PLANS for a new village hall for Berryfield are in jeopardy because of a delay caused by the housing developers, Bellway, according to Melksham Without Parish Council.
And the council say they could face costs of up to £200,000 because of the delay.
The housing developer – who are responsible for the Bowood View development, comprising 150 houses – has failed to action a legal agreement, made five years ago, to hand over ownership of the land earmarked for the new hall, to Melksham Without Parish Council, says the council.
Without the land transfer, the parish council is unable to legally proceed with works on the land, which they had hoped to start on 20th September.
And the delay has left the parish council open to a financial risk, as they have been forced to delay signing a contract with their contractors, Rigg Construction.
Instead, the parish council has given the contractor a “letter of intent” to sign a contract with them by 20th September.
“If we don’t sign it by then,” said the parish council’s clerk, Teresa Strange, talking to Melksham News, “we will cover the costs incurred by Rigg, up to the maximum of £200,000 – so if we don’t sign the contract, we are exposed to that financial risk. Bellway know that they have to hand over the land so we can build on it, but honestly, we have been asking for two years! They are really holding us up now.”
At a parish council meeting last week, councillors agreed to postpone a meeting with Rigg Construction – which have involved the signing of the contract – by two weeks, whilst the parish council continues to apply pressure on Bellway to action the land transfer.
In response to the parish council’s concerns, a spokesperson for Bellway, told Melksham News, “Bellway is fully committed to providing the land for the Village Hall and welcome its provision as a real benefit for our new customers. We have also ringfenced the financial contribution towards the cost of the building in accordance with the Planning Agreement. Bellway will continue to work with the Parish to provide this facility.”
Chair of the parish council, cllr John Glover, added, “We look forward to finalising the transfer of the land, and access to the services, so that work can commence on this community facility that has been partly funded by Bellway Homes.”
