Plea for meeting over Telford homes challenge is rejected

Conservative councillors had requested an extraordinary council meeting after the authority announced plans to issue a High Court challenge against a Government inspector's decision to allow the homes off Haygate Fields on the outskirts of Wellington.

Council speaker Councillor Charles Smith said he would not put the request forward for a meeting because a decision on the legal challenge had already been made.

He said: "I rejected Councillor Eade's request for an extraordinary general meeting because the council has already said it will challenge the planning inspector's decision relating to the application to build homes off Haygate Road, Wellington. This will take some months to be heard.

"Should members wish, and in line with normal procedures, this could be discussed at the next full council meeting in mid-July but does not require an EGM."

The council has also come under fire from the borough's Conservative party, which fears the authority will incur huge legal bills fighting the decision that has allowed Gladman Homes to build the homes on a site near Wellington Cricket Club.

The developer, which wants to build the development on the land is known locally as Haygate Fields, lodged an appeal with the national planning inspectorate after claiming the local authority had taken too long to make a decision.

Outline planning permission had initially been granted by Telford & Wrekin Council but planning chiefs ordered a review it to be looked at again when it was shown Telford already had enough housing supply either already built or in the pipeline for the next five years.

Inspector David Wildsmith upheld an appeal by the developer against the council's decision to refuse planning permission for the homes, which have also faced opposition from locals living in Haygate Road who claim the homes will change the character of the area, last month. Labour members of Wellington Town Council have also spoken out against the plans.

Councillor Graham Cook, member for Haygate ward, said: "This development will have a significant impact on my ward.

"Local people are against the development and on top of the disappointment of the planning inspector overruling the planning authority, we now have a political leader saying we shouldn't appeal the decision. I am happy the borough council intends to appeal. It's only right given the consequences of this development being allowed."

David Brammer, head of planning at Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, specialising in planning law, said last week it would be hard to predict how a ruling would go.