A High Court ruling in favour of Tewkesbury Borough Council’s decision to allow a new road bridge over the railway in Ashchurch, unlocking land for a major housing development, could be challenged again.
Just days after the borough was celebrating its victory over Ashchurch Rural Parish Council’s attempt to force a review of the planning decision, the parish council said it was considering an appeal.
Mike Dawson, Tewkesbury Borough Council’s chief executive said the borough was ‘very pleased with the High Court judgement’ which proved the decision to grant planning permission for the bridge ‘was done in a lawful way’.
‘The Tewkesbury Garden Town team can now continue with plans to start work,’ said Dawson.
But in a statement sent to SoGlos, the parish council said it was ‘disappointed with the decision of the court to refuse a judicial review’.
‘Whilst we welcome some new housing and industrial development it needs to be undertaken in a sympathetic manner with due recognition of the needs of the existing community.
‘We are considering our legal options i.e. to progress to an appeal or not, and whilst we have the conviction of our arguments we also need to consider the significant costs to the public purse for which we are responsible. We will decide in the coming days.’
The Borough Council won £8.1m of funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in 2018 to develop the bridge, which would lead to land highlighted for a 10,000-home development in the Tewkesbury Garden Town concept plan.
According to the council the 30-year-plan would bring ‘significant numbers of jobs and opportunities to live and work within the area’ as well as new schools, health and community facilities.
By Andrew Merrell
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