CASE Notice Board 2003

20th November 2003

PLANNING APPLICATION UPDATE

It's been a very busy year in respect of the West of Stevenage proposed development. Things are now coming to a head. On the 20th January a planning inquiry will start which will decide whether or not the planning applications for either 5000 dwellings or 3600 dwellings west of Stevenage should be allowed.

The public inquiry is estimated to last till at least Easter. CASE have been given permission to fully participate in the inquiry as one of the principle parties. Other parties include the developers, Stevenage Borough Council, North Herts District Council and the Highways Authority.

CASE have employed a barrister, Megan Thomas, to represent CASE and its supporters at the inquiry. CASE are very grateful to all its supporters who have provided funds towards this important representation and to other organisations including in particular the CPRE, the Chiltern Society and the Preston Trust who have contributed to this cost.

The public inquiry will be a massive affair. The developers have a huge team including QCs, junior barristers, solicitors, experts, consultants and planners and are investing vast sums of money in an attempt to push though their application. They are backed by Stevenage Borough Council. Opposing the application are North Herts District Council, Herts County Council, CASE and Luton Airport who consider that a development West of Stevenage will hinder its own plans for expansion.

CASE would greatly appreciate it if as many of its supporters could attend at least the first day of the inquiry. It will take place at the Spirella Building in Letchworth on the 20th January 2004, so please put it in your diaries. We will provide more details of the inquiry nearer the time.

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