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Search the Public Notice PortalConcerns have been raised over “little progress” being made on a £43.5million council housing scheme.
BCP Council acquired the Carter’s Quay site in Poole in late 2021.
The local authority paid Inland Homes an initial £8.25million at the start of the housing project.
This included payment for the land where 161 new rental homes will be built at Holes Bay, Hamworthy.
A further £6.75million has been paid on the project, including non-construction works related to the project.
Representatives from BCP Council and Inland Homes took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in July last year, with an anticipated completion by the end of 2024.
However, construction work on site appears to have come to a standstill in the past few months.
Liberal Democrat councillor Marcus Andrews raised the subject of the project at a recent BCP Council meeting.
Cllr Andrews said: “The previous administration of this council entered into a £43.5million contract with Inland Homes to construct 161 flats, a gym and some shops at Carters Quay Hamworthy in Poole in September 2021.
“Inland have made little progress in the construction: piling of the site stopped in February.”
He said that Inland’s shares were suspended from trading in April and publication of the 2021/22 accounts had been delayed several times.
In response to questions from Cllr Andrews, audit and governance chair Cllr John Beesley said a report to full council in September 2021 detailed the acquisition of the Carters Quay development, including the risks and the due diligence undertaken.
“As the transaction was for a property acquisition there was no requirement to carry out a formal procurement exercise which may have included additional credit checks,” he said.
Cllr Beesley added: “Legal advice is being taken to fully understand the Council’s position.
“I have been advised that this is in addition to the ongoing discussions with Inland Homes regarding the best way to successfully deliver the scheme.
“Where appropriate any changes to the programme will be reflected in variations to the contract terms.”
In response to questions from the Daily Echo, a BCP Council spokesperson said: “Work at the Carter’s Quay site started to slow in February and March, however design work has continued.
“BCP Council and Inland Homes are in discussions to establish the earliest possible time work can commence on site.”
Last month, Jolyon Harrison was appointed as the new chief executive at Inland Homes. Alongside this, a proposed acquisition of firm NorthCountry was announced by Inland.
In a statement, Mr Harrison said NorthCountry’s business model in the north of England would be expanded by taking advantage of lower land values, while developing Inland’s brownfield and strategic land business in the south.
He said Inland would complete its existing construction commitments.
When approached by the Daily Echo about matters raised at the council meeting, an Inland Homes spokesperson said: “Inland Homes remains committed to delivering the final phase of 161 new homes at Carters Quay on behalf of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.
“Groundworks and piling have been completed and we continue to work with the Council and other stakeholders to deliver this prestigious development and provide much-needed new homes in Poole.”
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