HARMFUL IMPACT ON COUNTRYSIDE DEFEATS URBAN EXTENSION  

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has upheld his Inspector's recommendation and dismissed an appeal against the refusal of planning permission by Aylesbury Vale District Council for an urban extension of 900 dwellings, employment, commercial, Primary School, Health Centre and leisure and community uses on land at Valley Farm, Leighton Road, Soulbury, Buckinghamshire. At the same time, the Secretary of State also dismissed an appeal against the refusal by Central Bedfordshire Council to grant permission for access proposals relating to the same substantive development.  The appeal site had not been designated as being of special landscape quality, but the Secretary of State agreed that harm to the character and appearance of this area of open countryside would conflict with Government policy for the countryside in PPS1 and PPS7 as well as development plan policy. 

A copy of the decision (reference APP/J0405/A/10/2143343) can be provided by FTB's clerks, or may be downloaded from the Communities and Local Government website: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/decisionsplanning/secretarystate/recentsecretary/

Hereward Phillpot represented Aylesbury Vale District Council, and Alexander Booth represented Central Bedfordshire Council.  The Appellant was represented by Patrick Clarkson QC.