Battle for Scout hut cash won

Shipston is again a step closer to a new Scouts hut after Stratford-on-Avon District Council received all the monies after the High Court in Birmingham agreed that housing developers, David Wilson Homes Limited and Peverell Freeholds No2 Ltd, should hand over £125,000 under a Section 106 agreement.

The District Council has now received the full amount totalling £173,924.03 (including interest) and the Defendants are also liable for the full costs of the case.

The money was due from a Section 106 agreement made in 2001 following the development of The Village off Tilemans Lane, Shipston.

Cllr Gillian Roache, Corporate Support Portfolio says: “This has been a long legal battle but I am delighted to say we have now received the money, which will now enable the Shipston Scouts and local community to have their outdated building rebuilt.

The District Council is committed to actively and vigorously pursue any 106 monies due to communities following developments. These monies can often enable new or improved facilities for communities, which in the current financial climate would be impossible for them to achieve by any other means."

However, as this has been such a long legal battle the original planning permission has run out of time but Cllr Mike Gittus, Planning and Environment Portfolio says: “The District Council has long been concerned over the financial issues surrounding the provision of new premises for Shipston Scouts. I have agreed after consultation with Shipston Ward Members, that a mechanism will be put in place to ensure that the new planning application for the Scout Hut will have no financial consequence for this important and deserving youth organisation."