Packington Nook Residents’ Association
	Planning permission refused and appeal dismissed!! – 17 March 2010 As released to the press today… The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, John Denham, has announced that he has refused planning permission for the building of over 1000 houses at the Packington Nook site, land south of Ashby de la Zouch. The decision, following a public inquiry in the town last October, identified and agreed with all of the issues raised by Packington Nook Residents’ Association (PNRA). Following the Inquiry, the report of the Planning Inspector, Graham Cundale, recommended refusal and stated that if development went ahead there would be: significant harm to the landscape and the character of the town shortcomings in the quality of the residential environment on parts of the site owing to noise from the A42 an undue risk of harm to road safety – taking on board PNRA concerns about the increased traffic in the town and the likely “rat-runs” in nearby residential streets, such as Cambrian Way and Windsor Road shortcomings in the sustainability of the site location – adding that the location would be very attractive to commuters who would drive to the West Midlands and other urban areas prejudice to the outcome of North West Leicestershire District Council’s Core Strategy process – which is still consulting on where the best location for housing in the district should be However, it is the risk to the habitat in the River Mease – a European designated Special Area of Conservation, which has caused the most concern and been pivotal in the decision to refuse permission. The Inspector did not accept Hallam’s proposals to clean sewage from the site with new equipment at Packington Sewage Works and doubted if they could be delivered in time. The current high levels of phosphates in the River Mease are a threat to endangered species including native White-Clawed Crayfish and Otters. Following objections by the Environment Agency and Natural England, development in the Ashby and Measham area is on hold for the foreseeable future. “We are absolutely delighted with this news and extremely satisfied that the Inspector and Secretary of State has both heard and taken on-board our views” commented Nigel Garnham, Chairman of Packington Nook Residents’ Association. “At the inquiry we showed how over 98% of local residents surveyed were opposed to development at the Packington Nook site and had clearly stated concerns on ecology, traffic and impact on our market town.” He continued “We hope this decision will send a clear message to developers that acquiring some land does not provide immediate rights to build on it. The concerns of local people matter and PNRA has used that strength of opinion to take part in this process, which has now come to a satisfactory conclusion.” We would like to thank everyone who had supported the PNRA campaign and to the officers of North West Leicestershire Council, the Environment Agency, the Highways Agency, Leicestershire County Council and Natural England, with whom PNRA worked closely at the Inquiry. You can see the full text of the inquiry report and the Secretary of State’s letter at our links page. About Packington Nook Residents' Association PNRA was formed in summer 2008 in response to proposals by a major developer, Hallam Land Management, to build over 1000 houses on open countryside south of Ashby de la Zouch. Hallam Land subsequently submitted two planning applications to North West Leicestershire District Council, for over 1000 homes - covering the entire site, and 115 homes as a means of providing phased development.  Both were refused by the local authority.  As the 1000+ homes application was not refused within the period of determination set by planning rules, Hallam appealed to the Planning Inspectorate and a public inquiry took place in October 2009. Following that inquiry, the Secretary of State for Communities and local government dismissed the appeal and refused planning permission at the site. We have campaigned vigorously against development throughout this process and now that refusal has been made, our activities have been suspended. However, Hallam Land Management still owns, or has interests, in land at this site.  The committee of PNRA has agreed that the association will remain constituted for the time being, in case of any further planning activity, or if we can help the debate into strategic planning in the North West Leicestershire district. We have over 300 registered supporters, conducted two major canvasses of local views and raised many thousands of pounds to pay for planning and legal support.  We're going to keep this website going as a resource for any other residents' group who wishes to draw from our experiences here in Ashby de la Zouch. April 2010 © Copyright of the contributors 2008 - 2010