The Council is challenging the Government’s decision on the grounds that it has been made prematurely and without regard to work currently underway to complete its Local Development Framework (LDF) - which, as the Planning Inspector accepted, will be the planning document guiding all future decisions about where homes will, and will not, be built in Wickford and the whole Basildon District. The Council will also argue in the High Court that central Government failed to declare an interest in the land. When it was originally sold to the developers, Gleeson and Gladedale, there was a provision that, if and when any planning permission was granted and its value increased considerably, some of that increase would be paid to central Government.

Councillor Tony Ball, the Basildon Cabinet member for planning, said “This land is highly valued by the community and they don’t want to see it built on. We will do everything we can to try to get the Secretary of State’s decision overturned”. WNGAG applaud this resolute action by Council leaders. We’re equally determined to see local democracy win in the end. It may take up to six months or a year for the High Court to hear the case. We’ll keep you posted.