A controversial planning application in Ashfield has been paused by the Government as it considers whether to intervene further on the matter. A meeting of Ashfield District Council's planning committee on February 1 had voted by six votes to three to allow the building of eight houses.
The decision came despite Ashfield District Council's own officers saying the project could have "significant adverse impacts." The development would be situated on Silverhill Lane in Teversal, a small village in Sutton.
But the plans have already provoked significant controversy, with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson facing libel action after claiming that "money had changed hands in brown envelopes" over the planning permission. A group of local residents also recently began proceedings to launch a judicial review.
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It has now been revealed the Government has issued a notice preventing Ashfield District Council from officially granting the planning permission at this stage. The notice has been issued as a temporary measure whilst the Government considers whether or not to formally 'call-in' the application.
This process would involve the secretary of state taking decision making power away from a local council and making their own decision on it instead. The letter was sent to Ashfield District Council on February 17, before being posted on the authority's planning portal on Friday (February 24). The council previously said it was unable to comment on the application.
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