Council loses Barn Hall appeal
From Basildon Council website, 19 February 2009

Basildon Council has lost its appeal against the decision by the secretary of state to allow a controversial housing development at Barn Hall, Wickford, to go ahead.

Developer Gleeson Homes wanted to build an estate of 200 homes on the green field site but met with fierce opposition from local residents. 

The original planning application was rejected by the council and that decision, although supported by the planning inspector, was overturned by the secretary of state.

This gave the green light to the developers to start building and therefore the council appealed against the secretary of state's decision.

Gleeson Homes today (19 February) succeeded in having the council's grounds for appeal struck out by the court.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley, leader of the council, said : "Of course I am disappointed with this result, but it is typical of this government's centralised approach to housing issues. 

"We will be now study this result to see if we are able to challenge it.

"This decision has made the regeneration of Wickford town centre even more urgent.

"If a new housing development is to go ahead at Barn Hall, the need for new local facilities, such as a health centre, library and shops, is more important than ever".

ends