THE outcome of a public inquiry into Taunton Deane Council’s refusal to allow hundreds of new homes to be built in Rockwell Green will not be known for several months after appeal proceedings were adjourned last week.

Cheshire-based Gladman Developments was asking planning inspector Phillip Ware to overturn the refusal of planning permission for up to 265 homes in fields running alongside Exeter Road from Bagley Road to Perry Elm roundabout.

But the inquiry, held in Flook House, Taunton, was adjourned on the second of its allotted four days when Gladman introduced previously undisclosed evidence.

Mr Ware said the council should be allowed adequate time to consider the

new evidence and to put together its response.

He said the Deane might also be disadvantaged because its planning officer for the case, Matthew Bale, was leaving at the end of the week and a new officer would have to be briefed to take his place.

Tuesday, April 24, was agreed as the date for the inquiry to resume.

The inquiry hinges on whether Gladman can show the Deane council was not meeting its legal requirement to have enough housing land available for the next five years.

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.