Plans for 600 new homes to go ahead despite council’s refusal

Planning approval has been secured for a 600-new homes development in South Yorkshire.

Plans for the scheme on a 31.5-hectare site on agricultural land near Edenthorpe were initially refused by Doncaster council.

Land promoter Hallam Land Management appealed against this decision, and Planning & Environment specialists from law firm Walker Morris were then able to secure the planning permission.

The Housing Secretary, James Brokenshire, approved plans for the development after concluding that local planning policies protecting the site from development were out of date, despite also finding that the council could demonstrate a five year housing land supply.

A decision letter sent on behalf of Brokenshire this week said the Secretary of State noted that “Doncaster Council’s annual requirement is circa 600 homes per year, and that based on forecast levels of supply, they can currently demonstrate over ten years supply of housing land”.

Despite this, the Minister agreed with the Inspector that the Council’s key policies related to the application were out of date.

Brokenshire also considered that the “provision of housing, along with transport and accessibility improvements and improved access to open and green space are all benefits that attract moderate weight in favour of the development.”

The letter concluded that “the identified harm does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the scheme.”

Richard Sagar and Robert Moore from the Firm’s Planning & Environment Team, acted as advocates at the three week public inquiry for Hallam Land Management.

Sager said: “This is an excellent outcome for Hallam Land Management and we are delighted to have been able to work closely with the Team to secure planning permission for their latest development.”

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