Page 3 - The Catesby Times 2020

SITE NEWS
Wycombe Local Plan Challenge By Action Group Dismissed By High Court
The High Court has dismissed a statutory challenge to the adoption of the Wycombe Local Plan (now forming part of Buckinghamshire Council).
The claims were brought by a local action group, Keep Bourne End Green (KBEG), who objected to land being removed from the Green Belt at Bourne End and allocated for housing in the Local Plan.
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Buckinghamshire Council and Catesby Estates robustly defended the Local Plan at a two day virtual hearing earlier this year.
Following this, all five grounds of challenge were dismissed by the Hon. Mr Justice Holgate, with the judgement clearly setting out that there was no error in law in the Inspector finding the Wycombe Local Plan sound.
The Local Plan therefore remains adopted.
This is welcome news for our 52 acre site known as Hollands Farm which forms part of a wider allocation in Bourne End which was removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential purposes.
Catesby are currently working with the Council to prepare an outline planning application to deliver new homes, affordable housing, land for a primary school and public open space with a net gain in biodiversity.
Catesby Estates, Planning Manager Dawn Adams said; “The Covid-19 lockdown has emphasised the continuing housing crisis with too many people living in poor quality housing with no access to outside space and many young people having no option but to live with their families. It is clear that adequate housing remains unaffordable to many; Bourne End is a highly desirable, but expensive place to live with the average house price being 2.5 times the national average.”
“Hollands Farm represents a unique opportunity to create a vibrant and sustainable new housing development for Bourne End. Our proposals will include 48% affordable housing, public open space and green infrastructure with enhanced links to the public footpath network and wider area. This site will provide many local people with the opportunity to take their first steps on the housing ladder and find a place they can call home.”
In November, an application by KBEG to go to the Court of Appeal was refused permission; “...where permission to appeal has been refused on the papers, that decision is final and cannot be further reviewed or appealed.”
Longhedge Land Sale Complete
Catesby has successfully completed the sale of the final phase of a residential development site in Longhedge, Salisbury to the Vistry Group, who will be working in partnership with Radian Housing Association.
The site includes 65 homes with 40% affordable housing, along with pedestrian and cycle routes connecting the new homes with the new neighbourhood centre, existing village and wider area. Using delegated powers Wiltshire Council granted outline planning permission earlier this year. This is an extension to a 60 acre site for 673 homes and public open space that Catesby previously promoted and sold to Bovis Homes in 2014.
Catesby carried out extensive public consultation and worked closely with the Parish Council which resulted in an uplift in the allocation from 450 homes to 673 along with increased community facilities for local residents.
Councillor Ian McLennan from Wiltshire Council and Laverstock and Ford Parish said “Catesby are the exception. They engaged with me and my parish, from the outset of the Longhedge masterplan. Together, with the support of the landowner, they listened and helped deliver much needed community facilities and a great place for people to live.”
Andy Wright, Senior Land Manager at Catesby Estates said; “This is a challenging period for the housebuilding industry and wider economy.”
“This has been a real team effort to ensure the completion of this deal, highlighting how well as a team and business we have pulled together during these extraordinary times.”
www.catesbyestates.co.uk
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