Pickles' planning decisions in doubt after Cala

摘要

A series of major planning decisions made by communities secretary Eric Pickles could be open to question after the government was forced to concede defeat in its latest court spat with housebuilder Cala Homes, writes Joey Gardiner. The government this week signed a "consent order", confirming it had dropped its defence of a judicial review brought by Cala over Pickles' decision to turn down planning permission for the firm's 2,000-home Barton Farm scheme near Winchester. At least two other judicial reviews of major planning applications are currently to be decided over related issues, including a 1,300-home Wainhomes scheme in St Austell, Cornwall, and a 280-home scheme by Fox Strategic Land and Property in Sandbach, Cheshire. Pickles turned down Cala's planning appeal for the scheme in September on the basis that it would undermine the local council's attempts to develop a new core strategy. This was despite the fact that the planning inspector had recommended the development be approved.