At tonight’s planning committee meeting two Horndean applications were heard and both went to the planning committee with a recommendation for Approval.
Lovedean Lane, a second development along this quiet country lane, was argued against by Ward Councillor Sara Schillemore who questioned the sustainability of the site, the suitability of the development and that it was not the community view, citing the LIPS consultation and the Draft Allocations Plan that was presented at and supported at an EHDC meeting last night (29th October 2014). The Lovedean Residents Association also spoke and put forward a very good case which covered the sustainability (or lack of) in the area and that there were better options.
The planning committee saw fit to REFUSE the application weighing heavily on the Draft Allocations Plan and concerns about sustainability of the site. Without a doubt the Land East Of Horndean application that is currently at EHDC has been a key factor in this decision and perhaps if it had been in sooner then the other site in Lovedean could have been blocked. The Blendworth Lane development was also refused. This is very good news as the lane is narrow and does not need the additional traffic.
One thing is certain. The reasons not to build on White Dirt Farm have just gotten stronger and developers looking at sites in Horndean really should now consider options elsewhere. It is my view that any money spent considering sites like Chalk Hill Lane which are so far back in the queue will be a colossal waste of money and the developers should now consider options elsewhere as the draft allocations plan, LIPS and current approvals set the scene quite clearly.
Open Season on Housing in Horndean is now over. Please come back in 2028.
Please consider acknowledging Cllr Schillemore’s representation to the planning committee with an email on sara.schillemore@easthants.gov.uk and also the Lovedean Village Residents Association who have worked very hard to put together a professional and credible representation.
It is of course inevitable that both developers will appeal so EHDC will need to fight this again.
horndeanmatters 
Excellent news! Thank you for keeping us informed, Guy.
Thanks for keeping us up to date! Really good news. One query-who recommended the approval of the plans when they went to the planning committee?
Hi, The planning case officers at EHDC spend 8 weeks to 16 months handling the planning applications depending on the size and type of application. They deal directly with the consultees and assemble the relevant information about the application and weigh this up based on case law and planning law. Their role is to make a recommendation based on how they believe the application would be decided under law. If the application is clearly suitable or unsuitable the case officer can make a recommendation which, if supported by a senior officer, is made without going to a planning committee. perhaps 90% of planning applications are dealt with like this, and this is called ‘delegated powers’. Applications which are large, or a very borderline decision are called into the planning committee. The planning committee then challenges the views and in perhaps 5% of cases will go against the case officers recommendation. This is very rare and where the decision is very boarderline, or the Council is willing to go against perhaps good, or safe, planning advice and risk loosing at an appeal. Another key factor will be the approval of the Draft allocation plan by the Development Policy Panel. This occurred after the case officer prepared their report and will have had some influence in the decision. The developer will most certainly appeal so EHDC will work to ensure the decision can be defended. I hope this helps with a bit more detail about how and why. Guy.