THE PROTEST group opposed to ongoing attempts to build up to 860 houses on Ashlawn Fields has been given the right to call and cross-examine witnesses at a planning appeal.
Government planning inspectors have given full rights to SARD (Stop Ashlawn Road Development) for the appeal, meaning the group must be consulted at all stages of the inquiry.
In February, Rugby Borough Council (RBC) unanimously rejected the application from David Wilson Homes and Gallagher
Estates on the grounds it would increase traffic and pollution in the area – particularly at the Dunchurch crossroads – and did not provide the infrastructure to mitigate this.
But in April the developers launched an appeal against the decision, saying they ‘strongly dispute’ the council’s findings and arguing “residual impacts cannot be described as adverse or severe”.
Coun Bill Lewis, RBC councillor for Rokeby and Overslade and chair of SARD, said: “I am pleased we will be able to play a full part in opposing this badly thought through development.
“The Dunchurch crossroads is already an horrific junction, and this proposal would only make matters worse.
“There are other important weaknesses in the scheme such as the risk of flooding and the shortage of open space in the proposals. We will be better able to expose those weaknesses now that we have been recognised as a full player at the inquiry.”
He added the planning inspector had received 50 new letters objecting to the proposal, and none in support.
The Planning Inspectorate has yet to set a date for the public inquiry.
