FEED THE RICH AWARD
Goes to...
PEEL HOLDINGS
Well, in theory any developer in Salford could have won this Award as almost every single one has avoided and evaded planning fees and the construction of affordable houses to the tune of £42million in lost payments to the city and the loss of over 1,000 affordable houses at the last Salford Star count (see here).
Runner up for the Feed The Rich Award was old `favourites' and past winner, Urban Splash, for its HoUSe development by the River Irwell off Trinity Way. The company avoided £639,529 in planning fees plus provision of affordable housing, as it stated the scheme wouldn't be `viable' if it had to pay up (see here).
Urban Splash Creative Director, Jonathan Falkingham, told the Sunday Times that the idea was "to make well designed, affordable housing"...but when the first 71 pre-fab terraced `HoUSes' came on the market in June, prices ranged between £250,000 and £335,000, with `additional costs' on top. Very `affordable' for residents of a city where the average wage is £23,903! (see here for full details)
However, when it comes to feeding the rich, there's one company that is way ahead. Indeed this company has won this accolade so many times it is the Celtic FC of the Mary Burns Awards you may as well hand them the trophy before the season has even kicked off.
This year, Peel Holdings has carried off the gong for its massive new MediaCityUK proposals. Phase 2 will see 1,395 apartments constructed, plus office blocks, retail spaces and more `vibrant' sterilisation at the Quays with no planning payments or affordable housing (see here).
When a couple of councillors questioned the total lack of affordable housing at Media City during the planning panel meeting which passed the application, they were told that an `outline application' passed in 2006 waived all need for planning fees and affordable houses... "Our hands are tied" explained cheery planning chair, Councillor Ray Mashiter, who lives on the Quays, "It's all outside our determination..."
Having subsequently avoided £millions in planning fees and almost having the whole first phase of Media City paid for by public money (see here), you'd think that Peel would be laughing all the way to the bank. But no. It wasn't enough...
In October, the megabucks tax haven-based company got a cheap public money loan of £8,302,984 from the controversial Greater Manchester Housing Fund to construct the Lightbox, a block of 238 unaffordable apartments at Media City, where prices range from £138,000 for a tiny studio flat, up to £385,500 for a three bed apartment (see here for full details).
The Greater Manchester Housing Fund consists of a £300million pot of handouts for private developers. Slated by Greater Manchester Mayor candidate, Andy Burnham, and others, the Fund is underwritten by local councils, including Salford City Council which is liable for its £21.129million share.
Whether Peel actually needed this loan is well contentious as it has landed a new partner for Phase 2 of Media City, the even more financially dripping Legal and General Capital (L&G), which took a 50% stake in Peel Media Limited (PML).
In its planning statement for Phase 2, Peel unashamedly stated, "L&G's remit is to increase the returns on shareholders assets"...obviously, with public money helping grease the path...
Oh, and the final insult to Salford people never mind the lack of jobs and affordable housing at Media City was the branding of the Lightbox as being in `Manchester'.
So, ladies and gentlemen, lie down in the Media City piazza, and scream `Please Peel come tread on my proud history, come take my last penny, come shag the sister of my dignity' for the winner of the Feed The Rich Award...
Peel Holdings!
If Peel Holdings would like to make an acceptance speech please use the comments box below...
Winners of the 2016 Salford Star Mary Burns Awards
*Nice Work If You Can Get It Award Hazel Blears click here
* Green Fingers Award - Salford City Council - click here
* Ethical Hypocrisy Award Co-operative Group - click here
* George Bush Read My Lips Award Hazel Blears, Phil Mayall and Councillor Derek Antrobus - click here
* Services To Heritage Destruction Fred Done click here
* Pimp My Poverty Award - Salford City Council - click here
* International Award - Manchester City Council - click here
* `How The Fuck Did You Manage To Ignore Almost 3 Million People?' Award - Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) - click here
*Services To Social Housing - Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett click here
*Affordable Housing Hypocrisy Revolving Door Award Councillor Paul Longshaw click here
* Uncle Joe Stalin Award for Open and Democratic Government Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett click here
* Gary Neville Finger In Pies Award - Salford City Council - click here
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