Residents use drone to check on construction work

Grant Prior 9 years ago
Share

Local residents have commandeered their own drone to check-on construction work on a major new housing development in Cambridge.

The drone is being used to to keep an eye on work by Weston Homes at its Grand Central site in the city.

Residents claim the drone has spotted breaches of planning permission on the site and restrictions on working hours.

A statement from Cambridge City Council to the Cambridge News said: “Council officers are aware the residents have used airborne drones to view the site and that this appeared to demonstrate that works were being carried out which were not in accordance with the approved plans.

“Concerns have also been raised about the way in which the development is being carried out. These relate to hours of work, mud on the highway, access and egress from the site by delivery vehicles and contractor parking.

“Site visits were carried out in June and no breaches of working hours were witnessed. Ongoing monitoring is being carried out in relation to all of the issues raised by residents and the ward councillor.

“To date no formal planning enforcement action has been undertaken against the developer. However, officers have written to them to remind them of their obligations under the terms of the planning permission. The site is under review as an active enforcement investigation by the council.

“The council will investigate any allegations made by residents or other interested parties.”

Weston Homes CEO Bob Weston said he was unaware of any investigation and the scheme fully complies with its planning approval.

He said: “We are working very closely with the highly professional team at the Cambridge City Council planning office, to ensure that Grand Central is developed in accordance with the terms of the planning approval.

“A recent planning committee meeting highlighted that Cambridge City Council is keen to ensure that Grand Central is built in accordance with the planning approval terms and that the local residents may employ a drone to be on site during the construction, which they are welcome to do.

“We have no intention to deviate from the approved planning details for the site. At Weston Homes, we take pride in delivering high quality homes to the highest standard and it is disappointing that Weston Homes is being portrayed poorly because of the site’s history with previous developers.”

 

Latest news

Anglian Homes rides in to finish crashed Everest contracts

Rival doubled glazed window specialist commits to complete orders
60 mins ago

Road sweeper specialist files administration notice

Go Plant lodges court notice
2 hours ago

Final work starts to connect super sewer to London system

End in sight with 1.5m thick concrete wall to be demolished to link-up to Lee Tunnel sewer system
2 hours ago

Legal challenge launched against £1.5bn A66 dualling

Balfour Beatty, Kier and Keltbray must now await outcome of court challenge
2 hours ago

John F Hunt wins 24-storey Battersea tower

Specialist to carry-out demolition, enabling works and RC frame construction
21 hours ago

William Hare wins steelwork on £500m Broadgate towers

Specialist to work on 2 Finsbury Avenue with McAlpine
22 hours ago

McAlpine appoints MD to grow ventures business

Owain Thomas will build on private rental and healthcare development successes
20 hours ago

BAM Co-op Live Arena opening delayed yet again

Another gig cancelled last night amid last minute safety concerns
1 day ago

National Grid unveils winners for £9bn network upgrade

New 'enterprise model' to deliver infrastructure schemes quicker and cheaper
2 days ago

Turkish insulation panel maker to build £45m UK factory

Assan Panel to open first UK plant at Freeport East
1 day ago

Expanding consultant Stantec swoops for Hydrock

Stantec UK business expands by a third as 950 staff join from Bristol-based engineer
2 days ago

Contractors wanted for £800m highways deal

Bids invited for Eastern Highways Alliance Framework 4
1 day ago

Galliford Try names group head of infrastructure

David Lowery promoted to Divisional Managing Director – Infrastructure.
1 day ago

Chigwell Group looks at stock market listing

Essex contractor registers as Public Limited Company
2 days ago

A57 Mottram Bypass clears final legal challenge

Balfour Beatty to get go-ahead to start shortly
2 days ago

100 jobs axed as Geoffrey Osborne confirms administration

Chairman Andrew Osborne calls it a 'sad day' as board loses fight for survival
3 days ago

Midgard set for Notting Hill office tower overhaul

Landmark project edges towards final approval after 10-year planning saga
2 days ago

Cumbrian civils firm clinches £40m Sellafield contract

Civils specialist Stobbarts will support McAlpine on groundworks and concrete
2 days ago

Designers named for London 2000-bed student rooms job

Bouygues will build £400m London School of Economics student scheme next to Tate Modern
2 days ago

£117m-turnover contractor files administration notice

ARJ Construction lodges court notice
3 days ago

£1bn London Blackfriars tower blocks approved

Trio of buildings rising to 45, 40 and 22 storeys approved by Southwark Council
3 days ago

Council decides to end Balfour deal after 13 years

Contractor has been maintaining roads across Herefordshire since 2013
3 days ago

Six civils clients to switch to low carbon concrete and steel

National Highways, Northumbrian Water and Sellafield sign fresh decarbonising pledge
4 days ago

Fortem extends homes repair deal across Birmingham

Willmott Dixon owned firm adds another two years to deal worth £170m
3 days ago

Kier wins £118m civil service Darlington hub

Work is expected to start towards the end of this year
4 days ago

Green light for 34-storey Digbeth apartments tower

480 flats will be delivered for Clarion housing association
3 days ago

LHC starts race for major retrofit and decarb framework

Hunt starts for firms to help with 6.1m social homes upgrade target
4 days ago

Windows giant Everest crashes into administration

Around 350 jobs at risk while hunt starts for a buyer to salvage business
4 days ago

Green light for £500m Newcastle health complex

Mixed use scheme will promote healthy living across all stages of life
4 days ago

Olympian Homes gets go-ahead for Bristol’s tallest building

Work on student and co-living towers to start this summer
4 days ago

Contractor services