An outline planning application for a business park on Horsey Bridge in Whittlesey Road, Stanground will return to Peterborough City Council’s Planning Committee this week.
The application was not supported by the committee in March after members said it contravened from the Local Plan and would cause harm to the character of the Fen landscape in which it would be located.
However, following notification from the applicant, Barnack Estates UK Ltd, that it intended to appeal against the decision, the city council’s planning officers have sought independent legal advice.
The advice from barristers concludes that the application was in fact in accordance with the Local Plan and that the reasons given to refuse the application were wrong and could not be realistically defended by the council if it did go to appeal.
Therefore, it will be brought back to planning committee on June 27 to be re-considered by councillors.
Councillors will once again hear details of the outline planning application for the construction of the business park up to a maximum floorspace of 15,263 sq m, comprising of offices, industrial uses and storage and distribution uses.
They will be asked if they approve or refuse the application and the reasons for their decision.
Adrian Chapman, executive director for place and economy at Peterborough City Council, said: “Although the council’s planning committee had previously voted to refuse this application, our planning officers have sought independent legal advice which concludes that the application is in accordance with the Local Plan.
“Therefore, we have taken the unusual decision to return this to the Planning Committee for a second time. The committee will be given the opportunity to consider the planning application again and make a decision on whether to approve or refuse, clearly giving valid reasons for their decision.”
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