High Court gives go-ahead for 170-home Buckinghamshire development
The High Court in London has dismissed objections to a 170-home development planned for the outskirts of the small Buckinghamshire village of Maids Morton.
The development, by housebuilder David Wilson Homes, has been in planning since 2019. Maids Moreton is a village a mile north of Buckingham with 352 homes and around 850 residents. The development would, therefore, increase the size of the village by more than 50%.
The plans have been opposed by local residents who have set up a “Maids Moreton and Fortescue Action Group” to make formal objections.
The High Court in London has dismissed objections to a 170-home development planned for the outskirts of the small Buckinghamshire village of Maids Morton.
The development, by housebuilder David Wilson Homes, has been in planning since 2019. Maids Moreton is a village a mile north of Buckingham with 352 homes and around 850 residents. The development would, therefore, increase the size of the village by more than 50%.
The plans have been opposed by local residents who have set up a “Maids Moreton and Fortescue Action Group” to make formal objections.
The developer was granted outline planning permission earlier this year by Buckinghamshire Council. In addition, a planning inspector last year earmarked the site for a development in the Vale of Aylesbury local plan.
According to a ruling handed down this week the action group has been bringing formal objections throughout the complicated, seven-year planning process.
The case finally ended up in the High Court earlier this month. The claimant Patrick Hardcastle is a local resident, a parish councillor and a member of the action group.
During the two-day hearing, planning lawyer Richard Honey KC for the claimant challenged the grant of planning permission on six grounds, alleging errors in the way the planning committee operated in relation to the development and other errors relating to the environmental impact report connected to the project.
However, in his ruling, handed down earlier this week, trial judge Sir Ross Cranston ruled against the claimant on all the grounds of challenge.
“Mr Honey KC (with the assistance of Ms Golden and Mr Welch) advanced the grounds with typical skill and thoroughness, but for the reasons explained in the judgment I have concluded that the claim cannot succeed,” he said.
R (on the application of) Patrick Hardcastle v Buckinghamshire Council and Bdw Trading Limited (T/a David Wilson Homes South Midlands)
KBD Planning Court (Sir Ross Cranston) 16 November 2022
