Wiltshire Council has said it is ‘disappointed’ at the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to override the local authority’s rejection of a planning application for hundreds of buildings.

The local planning committee rejected the proposal for 200 dwellings and commercial units because the proposed development went beyond the settlement limits of the town of Devizes and into the countryside.

However, the Planning Inspectorate concluded that the development should go ahead because of a shortage of houses despite the ‘minor harm’ that might arise from the site’s location.

Cllr Nick Botterill, cabinet member for Strategic Planning, said he was ‘disappointed’ by the decision.

He continued: ‘As stated in our latest Housing Land Supply Statement, we do have a modest shortfall in our five-year housing land supply. But this is only one side of the story, because the latest Housing Delivery Test results show that we have met 141% of our house building targets.

‘The five-year housing land supply shortfall is caused by the fact that while we are releasing enough land for the market to deliver the number of homes required, the actual delivery of homes falls to the private sector and market conditions, over which we have little if any control.

‘The Government is reviewing the application of the five-year land supply in its proposed changes to the planning system, and this is something we absolutely support. Unfortunately, it is too late for this development.’

If you found this story interesting, then check out our feature, 'Why green belt expansion requires a strategic review'.

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