North Oak Homes wins Drakes Broughton planning battle

North Oak Homes, part of Maximus Property Group, has won a long protracted battle for planning permission to build 39 homes on land in Drakes Broughton in Worcestershire.
The original planning application was rejected at the committee stage by Wychavon District Council and North Oak Homes appealed and won the case, with costs awarded to them by the Inspector.
Wychavon District Council then appealed the Inspector’s ruling in the High Court but lost and had costs awarded against the council again.
North Oak Homes won the original appeal for the development in Drakes Broughton on the basis that the Inspector was not convinced that Wychavon District Council had supplied robust evidence to demonstrate a five year housing land supply.
Jon Hickton, managing director of North Oak Homes, said his company had been caused severe delays in taking the development proposals forward when it was clear from the outset that there was a justifiable need for housing in the area.
North Oak Homes worked with RCA Regeneration to seek outline planning permission for 39 dwellings with 40 per cent affordable housing included.
“Our application contained proposals for a significant level of on-site green infrastructure and sustainable urban drainage – much needed in that part of the county,” said Mr Hickton.
“But Wychavon wilfully opposed us at each stage, and the merits of their case can be seen in the light that both the Planning Inspector and the High Court awarded us costs in each instance.
“We believed the scheme was aligned to national and emerging planning policy and would make a positive contribution towards the supply of housing and affordable housing in this sustainable village.
“It seems the planning and legal experts agreed with us.
“We regret the delay caused to this scheme, and the costs that have had to be borne by the ratepayers of Wychavon District Council, costs that could have been avoided at an early stage,” he said.

February 2015