Developer’s plans face judicial review

A COUNCIL is to apply for a judicial review of a decision by the Government’s Planning Inspector to approve plans for up to 290 homes.

Telford and Wrekin Council is appealing against last month’s decision to overturn the council’s original decision to block plans for a housing scheme at Haygate Road, Wellington.

Gladman Developments had appealed to the Planning Inspectorate as it sought permission for a scheme with 330 homes – which was given outline planning permission, although capped at 290.

The Council said the Local Plan sets out its own plans for the development of 15,500 homes “in locations that will support and protect local communities and ensure the managed growth of the town”.

In a statement, it said: “It is clearly appropriate that the Council challenges decisions which it considers are wrong, which threaten this managed growth and which could potentially damage important areas of countryside.

“If we do not fight this case there is an increased risk of inappropriate large scale encroachment into open countryside and an undermining of our strategy to focus development where it supports the delivery of services and the future of our borough towns.”

In his judgement, issued last month, Planning Inspector David Wildsmith said there were “inconsistencies with policies” in the council’s development framework, which was part of his reasoning to allow the appeal by Gladman Developments.

Mr Wildsmith said: “My overall conclusion is that the adverse impacts of the proposal would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the substantial benefits which would arise from this development.”