Goldhawk plans questioned

Tuesday December 1, 2009

A decision that would allow 57 new homes to be built on the site of the Goldhawk Road Industrial Estate could be overturned.

Plans to build a controversial housing and business scheme were approved by a council planning committee in October but the application has now been called in by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The proposals, from developers Londonnewcastle, include four new buildings with 33 flats and eight new units for businesses.

H&F Council’s planning applications committee gave the green light for the scheme in October but the Secretary of State now wants to examine how the plans to build new homes relate to planning policy.

A council spokesman said: “The planning committee gave very careful consideration to all the issues, taking account of local people's views. It was considered that there are insufficient planning grounds to refuse permission for this scheme in line with advice from planning officers.

“We are surprised that the Secretary of State considers that there are issues of such national importance to justify this intervention.”