PLANS for a controversial new housing estate off Ashlawn Road are back on the table after being refused permission by Rugby Borough Council in February.
David Wilson Homes and Gallagher Estates will appeal against the decision to refuse planning permission to build up to 860 houses on farmland between Ashlawn Road and Norton Leys, known as Ashlawn Fields.
The plan was unanimously rejected by Rugby Borough Council’s planning committee on the grounds it would lead to an unacceptable increase in traffic in the area, particularly at the Dunchurch crossroads.
The Council also ruled the developers had failed to provide the necessary infrastructure to mitigate for the extra traffic and the accompanying increased air pollution.
The developers’ proposal for appeal states they ‘strongly dispute’ the council’s findings, saying “residual impacts cannot be described as adverse or severe”.
The proposal stated: “The Council do not allege there would be adverse impacts in respect of highway safety or air quality at any other location. Further, it does not allege any other adverse impacts would arise at the crossroads.
“Again, the Council do not allege any failing in the infrastructure proposed to mitigate the impact on highway safety or air quality in respect of any other location.
“The Appellants will demonstrate these impacts are mitigated by the proposed improvements.”
Coun Bill Lewis, representing campaign group Stop Ashlawn Road Development (SARD), said: “It was odds-on that it would happen and it has,” adding the group would meet soon to “decide on its options for future actions”.
After the Council’s initial rejection of the plans in February, he said: “The developer could appeal against the decision, so SARD will be making preparations to oppose a resubmission or an appeal should the developer decide to follow any of these possibilities.”
The appeal will be heard at a formal public inquiry which is likely to be convened in early December.
The appeal documents are available at www.planningportal.rugby.gov.uk (search ‘R13/2102’) or at the Town Hall, Evreux Way.
To comment on the appeal or modify/withdraw comments on the previous application – of which there were over 400 – visit https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk or email [email protected]. All comments must be received by June 3.
The original application included 860 homes, land for a potential primary school, two new roads from Ashlawn Road and a bus link control feature to Norton Leys, and open space.
