Localism has prevailed for East Staffordshire Borough Council following confirmation from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that the Hazelwalls planning application, for 429 houses in Uttoxeter, will not be determined by the Government.
Following a resolution to approve the planning application which was made by the Borough Council’s Planning Committee in July, a request was made to the Government asking them to step in and take over the decision making process. Having considered the request the Government has decided to put the Borough Council back in the driving seat which means that the Council can now move towards issuing the decision.
In a letter from MHCLG it clearly states that “the Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.
Councillor Mrs Jacqui Jones, Deputy Leader for Planning commented: “I am delighted, but not surprised, by the decision made by the Secretary of State to not call in for determination the Hazelwalls planning application. The Planning Committee has acted entirely appropriately with professionalism and integrity and the decision by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government only serves to support that assertion. The decision to approve the application can now be issued and it will be possible to start work to provide much needed new housing.”