Refusing Pincents Lane development 'could incur costs'

The controversial Pincents Lane housing development plan goes before West Berkshire Council again this week (Wednesday).

The district planning committee will decide on the application for 165 houses, with officials warning that a no vote could result in a costly public enquiry.

More than 3,000 objections had been lodged against the development. Around 200 wrote in to support it.

And despite being advised to approve the scheme it was refused by a previous planning meeting at the council last year.

Councillors on the eastern area planning committee sided with objectors on the grounds that it would create too much traffic, did not have enough affordable housing and that the application site is located outside of a defined settlement boundary,

The decision on the scheme has been elevated to the district planning committee as implications of refusing the application are district wide in that it has a direct impact on the strategic direction of the Local Plan Review in allocating housing within the district until 2037.

Councillors are being warned if they reject the application again, the council may face the significant costs of an appeal.

In defending an appeal the council will incur costs in preparing evidence, including the need to appoint a barrister and a specialist consultant witness for the second refusal reason.

Furthermore, an appeal Inspector may award costs against the council should they consider it has acted unreasonably and caused the applicant unnecessary or wasted expense.