News & Insights

CSA are delighted to have supported Gladman in securing planning permission on appeal for up to 90 new homes at Wootton, Bedfordshire. Ben Croot (landscape) and Rob Rasberry (urban design) appeared at the Hearing on behalf of Gladman, providing specialist evidence to support the proposals.

The appeal represents an important decision in relation to housing land supply and the application of national planning policy. The Inspector accepted Gladman’s position that the most up-to-date local housing need figures should be used when assessing housing land supply, consistent with Planning Practice Guidance. The decision also included a detailed assessment of Paragraph 14 of the National Planning Policy Framework, with the Inspector concluding that the paragraph was engaged in this case. Significant weight was attributed to the shortfall in housing supply and the particular circumstances surrounding the Local Plan process. In balancing these considerations, the Inspector found that the conflict with the neighbourhood plan was not determinative and that the benefits of the proposal outweighed any adverse impacts.