Developer’s Leicestershire plans thrown out by High Court

Blaby District Council’s refusal of an application of up to 170 dwellings in Countesthorpe has been upheld by The High Court.

The application on land adjacent to Leicester Road and Foston Road in the village was refused back in November 2016. The Council rejected the plans, submitted by Catesby Estates, after the application conflicted with policies set out by the Blaby District Local Plan, which seeks to promote sustainable development.

Following the dismissal of a first appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in November 2017, Catesby Estates challenged the decision in the High Court of Justice.

The hearing, heard on Friday 16 March to one of the country’s top High Court Judges, Mr Justice Garnham, saw Catesby’s case thrown out of court with costs awarded to both the District Council and Secretary of State.

In summarising, the Judge said Catesby’s case fell “well short” of convincing him that the Council’s strategy for meeting the development needs of the District was out of date.

Councillor Sheila Scott, portfolio holder for planning, housing strategy, economic and community development, said: “We are delighted by the result in this case. Significant preparation was made by both our Planning officers and the Secretary of State to defend this appeal.

“This judgement emphasises that the methods we have towards major developments within the District have been vindicated. It also shows that our planning policies, against which planning applications are determined, have been found to be up-to-date and relevant.”