Pickles overturns refusal for 400 new homes in Leeds
Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey have secured planning permission for 400 new homes in Leeds, after communities secretary Eric Pickles overturned a refusal from the council.
Leeds City Council had initially refused permission for the scheme at Grimes Dyke, York Road in Whinmoor back in December 2009.
However, Eric Pickles, who recovered the appeal to determine it himself, has now overturned the decision following a lengthy planning inquiry, which sat in spring 2010 and January of this year.
Robert Moore, Planning Director at law firm Walker Morris, who worked on the appeal, said: "We are delighted for our clients. This decision follows a catalogue of wins for the team, in the face of the council's steadfast refusal to grant planning permission on sites that have already been allocated for residential development.
"The Inspector and Secretary of State reached the conclusion that the proposal in no way conflicts with any of the policies in the development plan as cited in the council's reasons for refusal. The Council are under an obligation to identify a minimum five year supply of housing and yet the analysis only supports just over half that at best. By allowing our clients' development, much needed market and affordable housing can now be brought forward, together with a wide range of community benefits."
The inspector recommended that the appeal be allowed and planning permission be granted subject to conditions. The communities secretary agreed and the decision was published on 26 May 2011.
Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey were also awarded part of their costs for running the appeal.
Pickles granted outline planning permission to lay out, access and erect between 370 and 400 dwellings, with ancillary retail and community facilities.
http://www.24dash.com/news/housing/2011-05-26-Pickles-overturns-refusal-for-400-new-homes-in-Leeds