Gladman housing plan 'called in' by Pickles

Those fighting plans by Gladman Developments to build a new housing estate in Audlem can take heart at news from Oxfordshire.

An appeal by Gladman against the refusal of planning permission to build 75 homes in the rural village of Bloxham has been 'called' in by the Secretary of State Eric Pickles.

The decision has effectively been taken out of the hands of the Planning Inspector and will be decided by the Secretary of State himself.

Just as in Audlem, the scheme to build houses on a green field site on the edge of the Bloxham triggered strong local protest and 220 letters of objection.

The appeal by Gladman against Cherwell District Council's refusal to grant planning consent was to be heard in May when the surprise announcement was made of the Secretary of State's intervention.

Exactly what that means for the final outcome is anybody's guess but speculation in Bloxham is that the government, feeling bruised by the UKIP backlash in recent local elections, may be cooking up a change in planning policy.

The Secretary of State does not exercise these reserve powers lightly. The Bloxham village website speculates that the government may not wish to alienate disenchanted voters in Tory shires by preaching 'localism' with one hand and 'presumption in favour of development' with the other.

In any event it should put heart into the Audlem campaigners fighting to stop plans by Gladman to build 120 new homes on a green field site at Little Heath on the edge of Audlem

This is not to say that Audlem does not still have a fight on its hands. A glance at the Gladman's own website boasts considerable success in getting controversial housing plans passed on appeal:

• Sawtry, Cambridgeshire: consent for 190 homes won on appeal
• Keighley, West Yorkshire: consent for 190 homes won on appeal
• Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire: consent for 300 homes won on appeal
• Cuddington, Northwich: consent for 150 homes won on appeal
• Woodford Halse, Northampton: consent for 200 homes won on appeal
• Clitheroe, Lancashire: consent for 270 homes won on appeal

But the 'calling in' of the Bloxham appeal may indicate a change in planning policy for large scale developments in small villages that are so manifestly against local opinion.

At least there appears to be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and those registering their opposition in Audlem may do so with a little more confidence in the outcome.

A total of nine comments had been registered on the Cheshire East website by July 5th. You can add your comments to plan 13/2224N here

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