Valley Farm fight resumes as developers appeal

The battle to build houses on the edge of Linslade has resumed with Paul Newman Homes launching an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.
Valley Farm viewValley Farm view
Valley Farm view

Valley Farm off Derwent Road has become a tug-of-war between the house builder and local residents who have fought doggedly against plans to build on the site.

Paul Newman Homes’ application to build 300 houses was unanimously rejected by Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) on February 17.

At that meeting, Adrian Cattell from Paul Newman Homes criticised AVDC officers for recommending refusal and accused them of not engaging with the company.

The appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was made on April 14 and residents have six weeks to email their comments to the case officer.

Linslade resident Colin Lawrence said: “It would be almost almost farcical if it wasn’t such a serious matter.

“These people are not interested in the slightest about the well-being of this town.”

It is not the first time the company has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate. After a controversial bid to build 900 houses on the site was rejected, Paul Newman Homes appealed to the Inspectorate in 2012.

That appeal was dismissed in a decision backed by the then-secretary of state for communities, Sir Eric Pickles.

Mr Lawrence added: “They will not give up. It is utterly depressing. But we must not give up either.

“They are now using tax-payers money yet again to apply for a public inquiry to be conducted by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State in order to try to get their way.”

The public can email comments to case officer Peter Kozak at [email protected]. Planning reference APP/J0405/W/16/3146817 must be quoted.

Representatives for Paul Newman Homes have been contacted but have so far failed to comment.