Secretary Of State Refuses Permission For 750 Houses In Green Belt
The Secretary of State refused permission for one of the most substantial proposals around London of 750 houses. Richard Ground appeared for Basildon and Mark Lowe QC appeared for the developer.
The Secretary of State accepted the developer’s evidence that the current LP is out of date in terms of housing supply policies, the proposed development would bring forward much needed new housing within a shorter timescale than is likely through the LP process and, in order to meet housing need it is likely that the Council will have to release land from the GB. However he viewed the harm to the Green Belt to be so substantial that it outweighed the benefits.
This decision will be of particular interest to those considering Green Belt development and in particular development outside of the plan process.
Please click here to see the decision letter.
