A new housing estate has been approved after councillors chose to prioritise the delivery of homes over strict adherence to their neighbourhood plan.
The scheme had faced opposition on policy grounds, with concerns raised that it conflicted with the existing neighbourhood framework for the area. However, members concluded that the need to boost local housing supply carried greater weight in planning terms.
The decision underlines the pressure authorities are under to meet housing targets, even where adopted neighbourhood plans seek to limit development. It also signals to developers that councils may be prepared to support additional schemes where they can demonstrate clear benefits in terms of new homes.
Local stakeholders are expected to scrutinise the approval closely, amid wider debate about how far neighbourhood plans can influence the scale and location of new housing. The outcome may encourage further applications on sites not originally earmarked for development, as the balance between local policy and housing demand continues to shift.
