A COUNCILLOR who campaigned against the development on Whitford Road has called for a probe into the way the application was dealt with by the local authorities.
Coun Luke Mallett told The Standard: “I have called on both councils to launch an urgent investigation into the actions and conduct of the Highways Authority in this matter.
“Goodness knows what the seeming failure of Worcestershire County Council, as the Highways authority, to intervene at an early stage and demand the answers to the questions asked by councillors and Whitford Vale Voice, ultimately left to be decided by the Planning Inspector, will have cost the Bromsgrove taxpayer.”
Following the appeal, the Planning Inspector ordered Bromsgrove District Council to pay partial costs to developers Catesby Estates Ltd and Miller Homes Ltd.
The amount paid will be the costs incurred between August 21, 2014, and April 20, 2015, in respect of Refusal Reason 1 which the district council withdrew when it realised it could not be defended.
The Inspector said the reason should never have been used in the first place.
Coun Kit Taylor, Bromsgrove District Council’s cabinet member for the responsibility of planning, said: “It’s too early to tell but strategic planning and development control officers will be assessing the ramifications of this decision.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire Highways, in response to Coun Mallett’s calls, said: “Worcestershire County Council are aware of the recent Inspector’s decision on this planning application.
“We are currently reviewing the report and will be working closely with Bromsgrove District Council to discuss the judgement and any implications this may have.”
