Final approval for  the scheme to build on disused land adjacent to railway has been given.  Albeit some council members still have concerns over the controversial application by Network Rail.

Networks Rail's proposal is to build 20 new homes on the narrow strip of land, formerly sidings but long disused and overgrown, had caused concern to councillors due to it's close proximity to the railway and access road from Clarendon Road.

Previous meetings of the planning committee had recommended 17 homes and seven flats but due to concerns over noise and the position of the access road raised by councillors the proposal was refused.

They agreed to an assessment by independent planning consultants Terence O'Rourke.  The consultants reported that the scheme would be difficult to refuse on the grounds that councillors had raised.  It also was within guidelines for town planning from central government.  In the light of this the committee were informed that refusal would lead to probable significant costs awarded against the council, on appeal if they refused the application once more.  They consultants review stated that Network Rail had a strong case and would invariably win an appeal.

However, the borough planning chief, David Jobbins who wanted the independent review advised the planning committee whether this application by Network Rail was acceptable, stating that they shoild disregard what may happen in the near future.

The councillors grounds for refusal with regards to the access road from Clarendon Road also would not stand under scrutiny because the Highways Department had raised no objections.