Housing secretary Michael Gove overturns original decision of local council to refuse permission
Housing secretary Michael Gove has granted planning permission for 1,100 homes in Lancashire originally refused by a local council.
Permission for two applications for a residential mixed-use development at a site called Pickering鈥檚 Farm at Penwortham near Preston was rejected by South Ribble Borough Council twice for reasons including the impact on 鈥渉ighways, green infrastructure, ecology, drainage, air quality and lack of infrastructure鈥�.
Developer Taylor Wimpey appealed and in a letter sent yesterday on behalf of Gove, the housing secretary said he has 鈥渘ot identified any material considerations which carry weight against the proposals鈥�.
鈥淸Gove agrees] that the delivery of a total of some 1,100 homes in a mix of sizes is a significant benefit, to which he gives significant weight. He further agrees that the delivery of affordable housing would be a benefit carrying significant weight,鈥� the letter adds.
>>See also: 鈥榃e鈥檙e victims of short-term policy-making鈥�: Interview with Taylor Wimpey boss Jennie Daly
This site is predominantly open agricultural land of more than 50 ha in total. It was earmarked for development in the 1970s and it was allocated as a major development site within the South Ribble Borough Council鈥檚 local plan in 2015.
The approved plan includes building a two-form entry primary school, as well as a new local centre and creating publicly accessible open space.
Earlier this month, Taylor Wimpey revealed it was on track to post operating profit of 拢470m this year, at the upper end of guidance, prompting some analysts to suggest the bottom of the current housing market had been reached.
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