UP to 265 new homes will now be built on the edge of Wellington after the shock collapse last week of the Deane council’s opposition to Gladman Developments Ltd’s plans.

The council refused planning permission in April of last year for the site between Bagley Road and Exeter Road, Rockwell Green, and a public inquiry into a subsequent appeal by Gladman was started earlier this year.

After two adjournments, the inquiry resumed last week, but lasted only a further day-and-a-half before the council’s own barrister Scott Stemp told planning inspector Phillip Ware he could not continue to defend the case.

Mr Stemp said three of the four reasons for refusal had been met by Gladman before the appeal even began – the impact on local roads, a lack of agreement on providing affordable housing, a transport plan for residents and play facilities for children, and the potential harm to protected wildlife.

The only outstanding reason for refusal – the issue being examined by the inquiry – was the council’s belief that the site would be an ‘unplanned extension’ of the town, creating sustainability and access issues ‘outside the defined settlement limit of Wellington and Rockwell Green’.

Mr Stemp said it became evident to him during cross-examination of council witnesses by Gladman’s barrister Sarah Reid, that such an objection could not be maintained because the planning application did not conflict with the Deane’s development plan, known as the core strategy.