Parish Council response to retirement village appeal

As many will now be aware, Inspired Villages/Legal & General has not accepted WODC’s unanimous refusal of its application to build 160 retirement homes on land in the grounds of Freeland House, having now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate. The process (more information at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-appeals-dealt-with-by-an-inquiry-taking-part) is underway and we will hear more about the timescales in due course. The process is that the Planning Inspectorate will review the decision and all of the evidence, hold a public inquiry (which is likely to be some time next year), and then make a decision to either allow the appeal (and therefore WODC’s refusal is overturned), or dismiss the appeal (in which case WODC's refusal stands).

More about the case that Inspired Villages is making against WODC’s decision can be found on the WODC website planning portal, reference 21/02627/OUT.

We (Freeland Parish Council) are acutely aware of the strong feelings of many in the village who objected to this proposal (253 in total), and the Council itself submitted a detailed objection, believing this development is not appropriate for Freeland.

While this appeal is principally about Inspired Villages vs WODC, we have considered what can be done to support the case against this development and convey the strong feelings of so many residents. To this end, we are planning to join forces with Freeland Friends, the group of residents which did so much last year to inform and drum up engagement with this issue within the village, and who are mobilising again; village resident Mike Gilbert, a planning consultant, has kindly agreed to support and steer efforts. The aim is that together, we will submit an application to the Planning Inspectorate to become what is known as a ‘Rule 6’ party. If accepted, this means that Freeland Parish Council/Freeland Friends will have a higher status in the process and will be able to make representations/present evidence at the public inquiry.

While it is normal for Rule 6 parties to secure the services of a barrister, this is costly. So in the event we are granted Rule 6 status, we will be likely to present our own evidence. This means we will be asking residents for any help they can provide with legal knowledge and also specific evidence we will be compiling. But we also need help with things like leaflet drops and general support. More communications to follow shortly – but if you think you can help in any way, please contact our clerk Fay Friend on the form on this website, or call 01993 357851

Thank you in advance. Whatever the eventual outcome of this appeal, it’s important we feel we’ve done what we can to fight it.