A residential scheme in Saffron Walden being brought forward by Chase New Homes has become one of the first developments to be granted planning approval by the Planning Inspectorate under special measures.
The permission to redevelop a disused school into 96 new homes was granted by the inspectorate under the procedure contained in s62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, after Uttlesford District Council was placed in special measures due to an unacceptable number of major planning decisions being overturned at appeal.
Irwin Mitchell planning partner Nicola Gooch and solicitor Erica Ives acted for Chase in negotiating and settling a Section 106 Agreement and a unilateral undertaking in relation to the planning application, including negotiating detailed viability mechanisms. The team also provided advice on assets of community value and planning conditions.
Gooch said: “This has been an almost unprecedented situation where Uttlesford District Council was instructed by a planning officer who would ultimately not make any recommendation in relation the proposal due it being determined by the Planning Inspectorate. We are delighted the planning permission has been granted to our client enabling them to bring much needed housing and amenities to the community.”
The core team for the application included Alan Ward of Chase New Homes and Mark Hodgson, Paul Maidment and Natalie Aldrich of Savills.