The Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, has allowed two housing developments with up to 400 new dwellings on appeal.
The two developments, in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire respectively, were subject to recovered appeals in which the inspectors involved recommended approval.
Lightwood Strategic Ltd proposed 350 new homes, 45 retirement dwellings as well as a community sports facility and a burial ground at Haddenham in Buckinghamshire but this was refused by Aylesbury Vale District Council. Clark, in agreeing with the planning inspector, argued that it would have "substantial advantages to the community in terms of affordable housing and housing for elderly as well as a burial ground, sporting facilities and open space."
The scheme in Herfordshire consisted of 55 new homes, 40 per cent of which would be affordable, at Buntingford in Herfordshire. But while it was refused by East Hertfordshire District Council, the Secretary of State argued there were no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of granting planning permission "when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework".
