Delight over decision to fight Telford homes ruling

Members of the Save Haygate Fields Group welcomed Telford & Wrekin Council's decision to fight a decision by a Government planning inspector to grant permission for 290 homes at the site in Wellington.

They believe building the homes would have a detrimental impact on views around the town.

Telford & Wrekin Council's ruling Labour group agreed to challenge the appeal decision on Tuesday.

But the decision provoked anger among opposition Conservative councillors who have called for money spent on the appeal to be used to support under-pressure services.

Diane Treherne, from the Save Haygate Fields Group, said: "We're delighted that the council has decided to contest the appeal and we hope it is successful."

The plans for 290 homes close to Wellington Cricket Club have faced much opposition by residents and have been much debated over the past two years.

The homes would be built by Gladman Developments.

The developer lodged an appeal with the national Planning Inspectorate because it claimed the local authority had taken too long to make a decision.

Outline planning permission was initially granted by Telford & Wrekin Council.

But planning chiefs ordered it to be looked at again when it was proved that Telford already had enough housing supply either already built or in the pipeline for the next five years.

Last month inspector David Wildsmith upheld an appeal by Gladman Developments against the council's decision to refuse planning permission for the homes.

Hundreds of people had signed petitions to try to stop the development going ahead at the site.

The community group fundraised to pay for a barrister to help them fight developers.

Mr Wildsmith, in a report outlining his reasons for upholding the appeal, said he recognised the development would have adverse impacts including the loss of agricultural land.

But he said there would also be "substantial benefits" including a £3 million New Homes Bonus the council would receive from the Government. He 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.

"I therefore conclude that this proposal should be allowed."

The borough's Conservative Party has slammed the council's decision to spend on a high court challenge.

Party leader Councillor Andrew Eade claims the planning inspector who approved the development stressed the desirability of local planning authorities to have up-to-date development plans in place, which he said Telford & Wrekin does not have.

In response, Telford & Wrekin Council's deputy leader Councillor Richard Overton, who is also responsible for housing, said the authority has answered questions about not having a proper development plan in place by showing that it has a five-year land supply in place.

Councillor Eade's request for an extraordinary meeting has been submitted to the speaker for a decision and more will be said once the decision has been made.