District eyes legal action after Clark backs 1,325 dwellings on two sites

A district council is to seek legal advice on the potential for a High Court challenge after Communities Secretary Greg Clark granted planning permission for 1,325 dwellings on two sites.

Warwick District Council said it was “very disappointed” at the minister’s decision in relation to The Asps and Gallows Hill schemes.

“The decisions have serious consequences because of the impact on the landscape and the setting of one of our most important and unique heritage assets, Castle Park,” the local authority said.

Warwick added that subject to the legal advice, it was “minded to pursue legal action” against the decision over The Asps.

The council also said that the Communities Secretary’s decisions would have significant implications for the new Local Plan for Warwick district.

It had been intended that the council formally considers a report setting out modifications to the Local Plan at its meeting on 27 January, including additional site allocations.

However, the implications of the minister's decision for those modifications needed to be carefully considered, and as a result, this report had been deferred until February.

Andrew Mobbs, Leader of Warwick District Council, said: "I am deeply disappointed that the Secretary of State has gone against the council on these sites. His decisions have serious consequences for Warwick and its surroundings including impacting on Castle Park which as we all know, is not just valued locally, but is of national significance.

”We are considering whether there are grounds to challenge the Asps decision and if possible, will do all we can to have this decision revisited."