Local Conservative Councillors Block Unwanted Development for the Third Time
This week the RVBC Planning Committee unanimously supported the campaign led by Wilpshire & Ramsgreave members, Councillors Hirst & Bibby in supporting the residents to block the unwanted housing development at Salesbury View in Wilpshire.
Together with an effective community effort by the local Parish Council and a residents group, funds were raised to commission reports on the visual impact and the unsuitability of the location to challenge the advice received from the county council which had approved the application.
This was the third attempt by Persimmon Homes to gain approval, including a previous refusal on appeal, but the clear and unambiguous contrary evidence presented to committee was more than sufficient for members to overturn the recommendation by officers to approve, to the delight and relief of the whole local community. The incongruous and overbearing potential impact in this location and the total unsuitability of the steep topography of the area were accepted as planning reasons to refuse once again.
Cllr Hirst, who spoke at the meeting, commented:
‘This was an incredible effort by residents which united the whole community, and I was delighted that the hard work and commitment of all concerned proved successful and without doubt the right decision was reached. This was a victory for local democracy.
Should the developer appeal we are confident that the new evidence provided will be crucial in informing a decision by the Inspectorate’.
