AN APPEAL over controversial plans to build 80 homes in Ettington has been rejected.
Developers Charles Church were looking to build a mix of two to five bedroom homes on land next to the community centre on Rogers Lane.
The original decision was put on hold in July last year to allow councillors to visit the site, which if approved, would have increased the number of households in Ettington by a fifth.
Hundreds of villagers had written to the council objecting to the proposals – among them the village’s county councillor Izzi Seccombe.
Although officers had advised the scheme be given the green light, Stratford District Council’s planning committee rejected the plans owing to fears over the size and scale of the development and the impact it would have on the character of the area.
Charles Church then opted to appeal the decision and a public inquiry was held at the end of April.
But on Friday (July 3) it was announced the decision had been upheld by government planning inspector, Christopher Anstey, who argued the impact of the scheme would “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits.
He said the plans did not constitute sustainable development and he also cited the potential harm of the proposed homes to the village’s rural setting.
