Controversial scheme for 200 homes at Bidford given go ahead

A MASSIVE housing development of 200 homes proposed for Bidford-on-Avon has been given the go ahead by a government planning inspector.

The controversial scheme, which was ferociously opposed by local residents and councillors, will be on land off Waterloo Road in the village.

It will be additional to 40 homes already given approval – on appeal – on adjoining agricultural land at Jackson’s Meadow.

Campaigners against the latest housing scheme argued that Bidford was already overloaded with new housing and that its infrastructure simply could not cope with any extra strains being put upon it.

But following an appeal by Miller Homes against a refusal of the proposals by Stratford-on-Avon District Council, planning inspector Clive Sproule has ruled that the homes can be built.

Crucially, the inspector has decided that the district council does not have the requisite five years’ supply of housing land necessary to fend off the development.

And he has ruled that he must therefore follow the guidance of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that councils without a current local plan in place must make a presumption in favour of su8stainable development.

Mr Sproule says: “The evidence indicates there to be a 4.9 year supply of housing land. Accordingly, relevant policies for the supply of housing are to be considered out of date due to the absence of a five-year supply of housing land…Such policies attract less than full weight.”

He adds: “It is obvious that there is significant local concern regarding the scale of recent and proposed development around Bidford-on-Avon. However, in this case I have found the proposal to represent sustainable development.”

The decision will come as a huge blow to the district council, as well as to local residents.

For the council to be told it does not have a five-year supply of housing land is devastating when it is on the brink of finally adopting its long awaited core planning strategy. It has even fixed a meeting for 11th July to formally approve the strategy – and the approval is contingent upon it having a five-year supply of housing land.

For the residents and local councillors who’ve put up such a valiant fight it will be deeply depressing.

A fuller report with reaction and analysis will be in Thursday’s Herald.