SECRETARY OF STATE PERMITS 'UNSAFE' HOUSING DEVELOPMENT 

The Secretary of State has granted planning permission for the conversion of a Grade II* listed warehouse building at American Wharf in Southampton for housing and B1 commercial use, despite accepting his Inspector's finding that the proposal "is not safe" because of flood risk, and thus conflicts in that regard with PPS25 and the Development Plan.  Following an objection by the Environment Agency and a call-in inquiry, the Inspector recommended refusal, but the Secretary of State concluded that the heritage benefits associated with the proposals outweighed his finding that the development would not be safe.

Hereward Phillpot appeared at the inquiry on behalf of the Environment Agency.