Court ruling has homes on hold

Campaigners opposing plans to build on part of a field at the entrance to Millgate, Newark, have made a successful challenge at the High Court of Justice in London over the decision to allow the homes.

As a result the developers, Redrow Homes (East Midlands) Ltd, have been told that work cannot start on the 69 new homes planned for Millgate Field.

Millgate Conservation Society decided to make the challenge after a decision last summer by a planning inspector to allow the development. His ruling overturned a unanimous decision to reject it by Newark and Sherwood District Council planning committee.

Members decided the scheme was contrary to several of its planning policies.

The conservation officer for Millgate Conservation Society, Mrs Sue Pickles, said they were devastated by the outcome of the inquiry so they decided to seek the help of solicitors specialising in inquiry cases.

Their challenge was made on the grounds that an environmental impact assessment had not been carried out.

They argued that such an assessment was needed because of the size of the site and that this point had not been picked up by the inspector during the inquiry.

The ruling from the High Court of Justice says that the society’s challenge should be allowed and that its costs will be met by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

It means the decision of the planning inspector has been quashed and will be returned to him to reconsider.

He will seek opinions from all those involved over whether an environmental assessment is needed.