Appeal over new homes at Mamesbury (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Appeal over new homes at Mamesbury

4:02pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in News

Developers hoping to overturn a planning decision not to approve 77 houses on a flood plain in Malmesbury are going to appeal.

Despite public opposition to the plans for the homes, a community building and public open space, developers White Lion Land is keen to see the plans approved at appeal today and tomorrow at Monkton Park, Chippenham.

It is being seen as a test case for the Government’s Localism Bill, which is being trialled, to give communities more planning power.

Town and Wiltshire councillor Simon Killane said: “If the decision is overturned, the Government is in effect overturning the wishes of the town council, the residents’ association, residents living in the area, the planning authority and our local MP.

“And because the Government is quite keen on promoting localism, it will be a real question mark over what’s going on in the planning system.”

The Bill, which will be enforced in April, will prevent the Planning Inspectorate from making changes to the local plans, which guide development in towns.