In one of the first substantial decisions emanating from the office of the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Anthony Crean QC and Killian Garvey have secured consent for 1,000 dwellings in Northampton for Bovis Homes. As a result of the strategy devised and implemented leading up to the inquiry, the Council abandoned highways as a reason for refusal. At the 3-week inquiry itself, the Appellants fought the Council on the issues of heritage and noise. The Appellants also contended with fierce local representations, including from several councillors and two Members of Parliament. Despite this strong opposition, the Appellants were able to persuade the Inspector and the new Secretary of State the merits of granting consent. Indeed, the strength of the Appellant’s case was such that the Inspector awarded them their costs, owing to the Council being deemed as being unreasonable for resisting the appeal.
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