Inspired Villages planning application
This page concerns the proposal by Inspired Villages to build 160 retirement units on land to the west of Wroslyn Road, adjacent to Freeland House. The planning application reference is 21/02627/OUT. Updates below are in reverse order, with the most recent first.
Update: 1 November 2023
It has been confirmed by the Planning Inspectorate that Inspired Villages' request to the High Court to challenge the Planning Inspectorate's Appeal Decision earlier in 2023 has been refused for a second time. This hearing was an oral 'permission' hearing put to a judge in an effort to secure a full High Court challenge. An earlier written permission case was also refused.
We understand that the decision to refuse was communicated on the 21 September. Inspired Villages had 21 days from 21 September to appeal this decision, but no appeal was lodged and they have also paid costs to the Planning Inspectorate, which suggests they have accepted the decision.
There is no chance of appeal now, and no option for Inspired Villages to take their case forward. This whole episode is now well and truly over.
Update: 3 July 2023
We have heard that Senior Living (Freelands) – aka Inspired Villages – have been refused in their written application for a High Court hearing challenging the Appeal Decision (see below, 18 January 2023 update).
They have asked to re-apply at an oral hearing, where they will provide their evidence verbally this time, in front of a judge, as to why the case should proceed to a High Court hearing. We are still waiting for notification of the date for this as they are often only listed the day before on the ‘Daily Cause List’ (see Planning Court).
If they get refused in the oral hearing, the only option left is for them to appeal those refusals at the Appeal Court. More about the process is explained here.
We will keep you posted as we hear more.
Update: 8 March 2023
The above appeal decision has been challenged by Inspired Villages in the High Court. Please see more about this here.
Update: 18 January 2023
The Planning Inspectorate appointed Hannah Porter to hear the appeal, which took place over six days in November and December 2022. The Inspector delivered her decision today (18th January) which was to dismiss the appeal. The decision notice can be accessed on the Planning Inspectorate website, but the covering letter and decision have also been attached below.
Update: 15 June 2022
The application was refused by WODC on 31 May 2022, but the developers have appealed this decision. An inquiry will be held in due course.
Update: 31 May 2022
WODC has refused the application. The refusal notice is attached below, alongside Freeland Parish Council's objection, submitted 15 September 2021.