150 new homes near Wilstead will now be decided by Planning Inspectorate

The outline proposal for land east of Duck End Lane had previously been deferred by Bedford Borough Council’s Planning Committee, which voted at an earlier meeting (November 10) to be minded to refuse the scheme and asked officers to return with agreed reasons for refusal.

When the application came back before councillors on Monday (December 8), members were told an appeal against non-determination had already been lodged by the developers.

Planning officer Lauren Witherick said: “Therefore, the Planning Inspectorate will consider the application on this basis rather than solely on the reason for refusal that was to be agreed at planning committee.

She said councillors were therefore being asked only to agree what the council’s reason for refusal would have been.

This included that the “development would physically and visually erode the clear identity and visual break comprising of the strategic gap which exists between the settlements of Wilstead and Wixams.

“This would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area and would compromise the integrity and purpose of the strategic gap designation.”

Planning committee chair councillor Jonathan Abbott (Lib Dem, Clapham and Oakley) said it was “very disappointing” that the application had gone to appeal before councillors were able to formally refuse it.

“I think we always knew it was going to go to appeal,” he said.

“It is disappointing the applicant didn’t wait, but I hope that the planning inspector takes our views and opinions on this seriously.”

The Committee agreed that, had they remained in a position to determine the application, they would have refused it on strategic gap grounds.

The appeal will now decide whether the development can proceed.