West Haddon homes refused by Secretary of State

The planning application was made back in 2013 for land off Elizabeth Road/Victoria Close in the village.

Daventry District Council refused permission September 2014, but the developers appealed against the council.

Earlier this year a planning inspector held a public local inquiry.

In the document it says the Secretary of State took the view that the land in question was important to the setting of the village, that building on it would have a detrimental effect on the form of the village, and it would damage the experience of people using a public footpath on the site.

The Secretary of State said Daventry district could demonstrate a five year housing land supply, with a five per cent buffer. Planning authorities are required to show they can accommodate expected demand for housing in coming years by identifying land for homes– a failure to do so allows developers to put forward their own sites for homes much more easily.

The document adds: “Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector’s overall conclusion that the development would not be sustainable in environmental terms and that this significantly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits of the proposal.

“He further agrees with her that, having had regard to the principles of sustainable development and national and development plan policies for the delivery of housing and protection of the countryside, this is not an appropriate site for residential development.”

The report does state: “Like the Inspector, the Secretary of State recognises that there are a number of economic and social benefits of the scheme, including the provision of 40 per cent of the dwellings as affordable housing; the creation of construction jobs and generation of additional economic activity, payment of the New Homes Bonus to the Council and a net gain for biodiversity.”

But the conclusion was: “That the benefits of the scheme are significantly and demonstrably outweighed by its adverse effects.”

Adding that the proposal would be a breach of the local development plan, and there are not significant enough benefits to allow such a breach to happen.

The application can now chose to appeal against the Secretary of State to the High Court if they wish.