Latest Developments

The Hamptons
The Hamptons, a housing and condominium development on St. Anne’s Road, Southampton, has occupied the Trust’s attention for quite some time. In 1988 an in-principal application was filed for a 70-unit development on the site. After 11 years, one Supreme Court trial, and a Section 34 Agreement, planning permission was given for a 40-unit development. In December 1999 a building permit was issued for phase one of the project. No action was taken at that time and the building permit expired.

In October and November 2002 planning permission was sought for 40 units at the site consisting of seven detached homes and 33 townhouses. The Trust and several neighbours, including Southdown Farm Limited, objected to the proposal. Since the developer submitted plans which were substantially different to those approved in 1999 the Trust felt that it was essentially a new project and should be judged on its own merits. The objection was based on the premise that the density of the new proposed development for was grossly inappropriate in relation to the useable acreage of the site.

The Planning Department did not resolve the issue within time limits and on June 4, 2003, the developer appealed directly to the Minister of the Environment for permission to proceed. Subsequently the Minister granted the appeal, subject to conditions: final permission was granted only for the seven detached homes; in-principal permission was granted for the 33 townhouses with all matters related to density reserved for the Development Applications Board at the final application stage.

Updated: January 1, 2005