The vote for Howard Holdings

The four week public exhibition of the developers’ concept designs received more than 1,500 responses. Howard Holdings was the company most preferred by the public with 36% of the public vote. Over 50% of respondents placed us in their top two choices. Giant GR Limited came second, third was Urban Catalyst.

In addition, 39% of the council’s Community Panel voted Howard Holdings their number one choice.

Economy committee chairman Councillor Peter Farrell said: "A clear public preference has emerged for one developer, Howard Holdings."

In early July 2005, the CRC committee recommended Urban Catalyst as the preferred developer for the project but, at the end of July, the full council voted 18-14 in favour of Howard Holdings. Shortly after, Urban Catalyst ceased trading as a developer, which reinforces the high risk nature of large development projects.