Outline planning permission has been granted for up to 10 new residential properties at Castle End, Lea following an appeal.

The planning inspector’s report included the main issue of highway safety. The report stated: “The proposal under consideration here would utilise the same access as previously sought for the 14 dwellings. The Council’s officers’ report on the planning application refers to the lesser impact of 10 dwellings and advises that there could be no reason for refusal on highway safety grounds. It also suggests that: suitable visibility splays could be provided, subject to the agreement of an adjacent landowner; increased traffic on the A40 following the earlier appeal has been re-assessed and the proposed access remains acceptable; and that the proposed pedestrian crossing of the A40 would provide safe access to the village and its school. Furthermore, the appellant’s evidence, which is not cogently contested, shows that traffic levels on the A40 at the proposed access have reduced between 2013 and 2017.”

The inspector concluded his report: “Having taken into account all other matters raised, none carry sufficient weight to alter the decision, and my conclusion is based on the evidence before me in terms of policy as a whole. For the reasons given above, I therefore conclude that the appeal should be allowed.”

The full appeal decision is available to view by searching case number 3174980 on www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate