A COUNCILLOR has hailed the decision not to grant planning permission for a new development in Burntwood as a "massive victory" for the town.
Members of Lichfield District Council's planning committee refused permission for more than 200 homes to be built on land off Coulter Lane.
Residents turned out in force at District Council House ahead of the meeting.
Cllr Andrew Clissett, Burntwood North representative at Staffordshire County Council, said the community had been key to the campaign against the development.
He said:
"This is a massive victory for Burntwood.
"It proves that when our community stands united, we can protect our town from unsafe and unsustainable development. We demanded that the safety of our children take priority over housing quotas, and common sense prevailed.
"A massive thank you to the Burntwood Action Group, to everyone who signed the petitions, and to every single one of you who gave up your Monday evening to look the committee in the eye.
"We did this together."
"Sticks out like a sore thumb"
Cllr Diane Evans, Labour representative for Boney Hay and Central ward, told the meeting that the plans should be refused due to concerns over development in the green belt, despite suggestions the site would be classified as grey belt.
She said:
"The development sticks out like a sore thumb.
"This area is green belt and as such requires protection from developers. Many people are concerned about the desecration of the area, including Burntwood Town Council.
"This is an attractive, tranquil and peaceful area, full of wildlife, trees and hedgerows that are vital for the environment.
"For many years, the community of Burntwood has been promised adequate infrastructure. Despite many properties having been built we are still awaiting it, which is more than a little frustrating."
The application was rejected over concerns of development in the green belt as well as infrastructure and highways issues.
A legal advisor told councillors that the reasons for refusing the scheme needed to be supported by clear evidence:
"Members will no doubt be aware of the need for convincing planning reasons for refusal. There is the risk if this goes to appeal that there could be adverse costs awards on the basis of unreasonable behaviour.
"The lack of infrastructure and impact on the highways network are not supported by any technical or expert evidence.
"If the council goes to an appeal with those as reasons and the applicant is put to wasted expense trying to appeal those grounds and if the council doesn't have any expert evidence to substantiate those grounds it will be unreasonable behaviour and be subject to a cost award.
"Members need to say on what basis are they coming to the conclusion that they disagree with statutory consultees on infrastructure and highway requirements? How are they going to substantiate that?
"If it's just disagreeing then that isn't a sound reason for planning refusal."
But councillors opted to go with their original reasons for refusal around the green belt development, infrastructure concerns and highways impact.
Cllr Evans said:
"We're obviously not technical or legal experts, but we've gone with what we and the public believe in."
Cllr Sharon Taylor, Labour member for Boney Hay and Central, said:
"A lot has gone through officers and it's their opinion. We live in Burntwood and know this development is in an inappropriate area.
"There are plenty of other sites around Burntwood that would be more appropriate than there."
"Voted to make the right decision"
Cllr Clissett said the role of residents in fighting the proposals should not be underestimated, despite a petition against the scheme not being considered.
He said:
"They tried to use a bureaucratic loophole to ignore the petition with more than 2,400 signatures, but they could not ignore us.
"Residents completely packed the public gallery and car park. Because they showed up in force, the committee had no choice but to listen to the facts.
"They could not legally or morally approve it – and they didn't. Well done to all the councillors involved who took a stand and voted to make the right decision."
