Legal challenge on homes decision
Council fears it could ‘open floodgates’
A council is intending to lodge a High Court appeal over a “damaging” decision which gave the green light to more than 500 homes being built on two prime sites.
Earlier this month councillors expressed anger after a Government Inspector overturned an earlier refusal of planning permission on one site.
A COUNCIL is intending to lodge a High Court appeal over a “damaging” decision which controversially gave the green light to more than 500 homes being built on two prime sites in East Yorkshire.
Earlier this month councillors expressed anger after Government Inspector Claire Searson overturned an earlier refusal of planning permission for 380 homes off The Balk at Pocklington, in favour of developers Gladman Developments.
Ms Searson also gave Gladman permission to build another 150 homes on 8.5 hectares of land used as a paddock at Swanland.
East Riding Council said it intended to appeal the decision through a challenge under section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act. It is now “taking advice” before submitting the appeal.
Deputy council leader Mike Stathers, who represents Wolds Weighton ward, said it was “good news” adding: “We have already had serious concerns from residents and other housing developers that this would open the floodgates to speculative developers, which is something we will obviously rigorously fight at all costs, bearing in mind these schemes are on unallocated land.”
However opposition Liberal Democrats say unless East Riding Council addresses issues highlighted in Ms Searson’s reports, including what they say is a “catastrophic failure” to provide enough affordable homes, the council is on a “hiding to nothing”.
They estimate that the recent public inquiry has already cost the taxpayer £100,000 in officer time and hiring expensive external legal representation.
Lib Dem leader Coun David Nolan said the next stage could cost another £200,000, which could include having to pick up the Planning Inspectorate’s costs if the council loses. And even if they win, he said it would mean another public inquiry, with an uncertain outcome.
Coun Nolan said: “We will be exactly where we were, we’d be back to square one, with another inspector who will no doubt look at the previous inspector’s appeal decisions. Unless they address their own failings, we will go through the High Court, and we will be no better off.”