Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

That is the unofficial motto for Persimmon.

Their latest figures show a 40% rise in half-year pre-tax profits to £135.3 million from sales up by 12% at £899.9 million on 5,022 completions.

With figures like this it will be interesting to see whether Persimmon will be trying to wriggle out of their commitment to have the Gap road ready for use in three years time.

I must emphasise that there is currently no indication (to my knowledge) that they will try to delay building the road, but you don't get to be a multi-million pound business without knowing how to 'play the system'.