Refused Loxwood housing development will go to appeal

The application, from Thakeham Homes Ltd, for 35 private and 15 affordable homes on land off Guildford Road, was turned down in September.

The application was not considered by members of the planning committee but was recommended for refusal by principal planning officer Jeremy Bushell and signed off by development manager Joanna Bell.

There were three reasons for refusal – no plan was in place to protect bats on the site, no S106 legal agreement had been signed to provide the necessary affordable housing or the money for local infrastructure, and finally the fact the site was in the countryside, which went against planning policy.

Thakeham Homes Ltd does not agree.

A statement prepared for the planning inspectorate said: “The proposals will form an appropriate and sustainable new development adjacent to the existing urban area, in a well contained position on the edge of the village.

“In the context of this appeal, there are no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

A council spokesman said: “The application was determined under officers’ powers in line with the council’s Scheme of Delegation.

“The applicant has lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission and it has been agreed between the parties that the appeal will be held by way of an inquiry.

“We haven’t yet received a timetable for the appeal.”

Members of the planning committee will be given an update on the situation at an online meeting on Wednesday (May 6) at 9.30am.

To listen to the meeting, log on to chichester.moderngov.co.uk and search the calendar of meetings.

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