Victory for Winslow as developer drops town plan appeal

Gladman Developments has withdrawn its legal challenge against the making of Winslow’s neighbourhood plan.
The Yes4Winslow group in High StreetThe Yes4Winslow group in High Street
The Yes4Winslow group in High Street

Winslow residents set out the vision for their town until 2031 but Gladman Developments appealed against the plan.

Its legal challenge was dismissed in the High Court in December 2014 but an appeal against that decision was made last month. However, Gladman has now withdrawn from Court of Appeal proceedings.

It will also no longer challenge the secretary of state’s decision to refuse planning permission for a 211-home project on land off Verney Road in the town.

The Yes4Winslow group in High Street. From the left, Vic Otter, Llew Monger, Roy van de Poll and Gaynor RichmondThe Yes4Winslow group in High Street. From the left, Vic Otter, Llew Monger, Roy van de Poll and Gaynor Richmond
The Yes4Winslow group in High Street. From the left, Vic Otter, Llew Monger, Roy van de Poll and Gaynor Richmond

Gladman is battling against neighbourhood plans across the country because it wants to build thousands of new homes on the outskirts of towns and villages.

Development manager at Aylesbury Vale District Council, Susan Kitchen, said: “This is fantastic news for the residents of Winslow.

“A huge amount of work went into drawing up the plan by the Winslow community and the withdrawal of this challenge removes any doubt over the status of the plan when making decisions on planning applications in the area it covers.

“Although AVDC was confident that the Court of Appeal would dismiss this latest challenge to the plan, Gladman’s decision to drop the action is very welcome.

“We will be pursuing the recovery of our legal costs, where permitted.”

The Winslow Neighbourhood Plan was the first in the district to get to the referendum stage and was endorsed with a 98 per cent ‘yes’ vote.

Related topics: