Cholsey: Government rejects appeal for housing development

An appeal to build hundreds of new homes at a village has been turned down.

South Oxfordshire District Council had previously refused the application for 350 houses, off Papist Way in Cholsey, Oxfordshire, in February last year.

But an appeal was made afterwards by developer J T Leavesley to Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

It has now been turned down on his behalf by Rachel Maclean, Minister of State for housing and planning.

The government said an independent inquiry into the application took place between August and October 2022.

The Secretary of State ultimately agreed with the recommendation of the independent planning inspector, according to a letter sent out by the decision officer.

He agreed the council's housing delivery since the implementation of the local plan had been "in excess of requirements".

He said the "adverse impact of allowing development that conflicts with the neighbourhood plan is likely to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits".

In a statement, Cholsey Parish Council said the "positive outcome wouldn't have been possible without the support and dedication of everyone involved".

It added: "Together, we made our voices heard - through written objections, petitions, postcards, protests, websites, posters, press coverage, and expert representations at the appeal inquiry."

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