High Court battle over greenfield site ends
APPROVAL has been granted for a residential development on a greenfield site next to the Leeds-Liverpool canal after a long planning battle which went all the way to the High Court. Sajid Javid, the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, gave the green light for Redrow Homes and Bellway Homes to develop a large-scale residential site near the Bingley 5 Rise Locks.
The plans involve up to 440 homes, as well as the replacement of an existing swing bridge over the canal and other infrastructure works.
The most recent application for the site was in January 2014. Councillors from Bradford had rejected the Micklethwaite development back in 2012 forcing a public inquiry.
Plans were initially rejected in 2011 when the whole project was knocked back by the Shipley area planning panel.
Redrow and Bellway appealled, but this appeal was in turn rejected by the then-Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, before taking their arguments to the High Court.
Planning specialists at Walker Morris advised the housebuilders, providing planning consultancy services, strategic planning advice and legal support throughout, particularly at the most recent eight-day public inquiry in October 2015.
The decision letter issued from the Department for Communities & Local Government on 22 September 2016 noted: “The Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector’s conclusions on the planning balance..The Secretary of State also gives considerable weight to the fact that, in terms of its economic, social and environmental dimensions and benefits, the proposal can be considered to be sustainable development.”
Stephen Sadler, head of the Planning Unit at Walker Morris, provided ongoing project management and acted as the lead planning consultant for the development. Rob Moore, Director, provided legal and specialist strategic advice. They were assisted by Philippa Plumtree-Varley, Associate.
They said: “This is an excellent outcome. The Secretary of State’s decision lends clear support to the Government’s focus on the importance of delivering much-needed market and affordable housing where the context is appropriate.
“The outcome reflects all parties’ efforts in producing a heritage and landscape sensitive scheme that will deliver a substantial range of planning benefits and improvements to infrastructure.”
