The Gladman and Frampton appeals have been taken out of the hands of the inspector and passed to the secretary of State to make the decision.
This appears to be because risking a decision on these two cases that subsequently conflicted with whatever the Secretary of State decides upon the Hook Norton (Bourne Lane) case would have risked making the whole matter a sick joke liable to challenge by judicial review.
Exactly what it means in terms of the actual outcome is anybody’s guess!
- The government is probably feeling a bit bruised by UKIP successes in the recent local elections and maybe that will make them more reticent to further alienate the conservative heartlands by preaching ‘localism’ but at the same time implementing their nonsense ‘presumption in favour of development’ which is manifestly against all local wishes and a source of previously unknown levels of concerted anger across this and many other villages.
- On the other hand they are also desperate to kick-start the economy via the construction industry!
.Time will tell!
The Hook Norton decision was due on July 4th
(UPDATE) The Bloxham appeals will apparently be made by September 23rd.
You can see the original letter about the above by going to the CDC website and looking for it. Alternatively you can see a copy of it by clicking here
Click for recent planning applications.
Click for emergency contacts
Click for Bloxham Weather
Click for Local Traffic Report
Click for Air Train Bus Info
The main point there is influence, not completely block. That same document highlights the support of the local economy, as an influx of development would do? It also mentions that councillors need to approach an issue from an unbiased point of view.
Looking at other policy documents the NPPF argues for supporting strong economic growth through positively planning for sustainable development. The policy also promotes meeting places which, again, these developments have. Another aspect of the policy is the need for affordable homes and a mix of housing meeting the needs of the current and future population.
On a local level local and neighbourhood plans should plan positively for development, include affordable housing and should not promote less development.
This proposed development provides affordable housing within the confines of the village and within walking distance of the amenities. It provides an opportunity for different types of people to move into the area.
Finally, if this change in policy shouldn’t allow the developer to “dump” development then equally why should it let a small and well-funded group decide what should happen either? Localism does not give the well-off the power to veto any development, ensure exclusivity and decide who should get the opportunity to live in a village like Bloxham.
The idea behind the Localism Act and neighbourhood planning is that wide range of contributors from across communities can come together and create Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) which are broadly refelctive of the whole community. This is not what is happening, the new powers are being exploited by middle-class retirees who have the time and local influence to create a NDP for purely selfish reasons. The NDP cannot block development, simply influence the location and style of said development. In blocking cheaper developments within the village the NDP is promoting rural gentrification, the displacement the younger genration of the village whilst also increasing ‘hidden’ homelessness within Bloxham. Not only this, but the creation of new, ‘high quality’ housing will attract even more middle-class ex-urbanites who are looking to live the Rural Idill which the NDP is trying to preserve, even though this image of a rural idyll is known to be false. The rural economy will also be adversely affected by these policys. As the working classes are forced from the area, local businesses and farms will struggle to find labour. Who will replace them? The ageing, retired population of bloxham?
The perceived losses in the local elections should and will have no impact on this decision. Localism also applies to the people that should want to live in Bloxham and not those already there with the time and resources to put up “NIMBYist” and “DADist” objections. Arguing that this goes against any ideas of localism makes no sense and would render the entire idea redundant if it did.