Secretary of State decision on Berkeley Homes 165 unit scheme in the High Weald AONB quashed by consent

The Secretary of State’s decision to refuse Berkeley Homes application for 165 dwellings on land adjacent to Turnden, Hartley Road, Cranbrook, Kent has now been quashed by consent. The sealed Court order was received on Monday. The matter will return to the Secretary of State to reconsider.

The terms of the decision has led to a large amount of comment within the housebuilding industry and media more generally. See e.g. the coverage in The Times, Housing Today, Planning Resource and Zack Simons’ Planoraks Blog.

James Maurici KC and Nick Grant represented Berkeley Homes throughout the inquiry and legal challenge, instructed by Claire Dutch and Olivia Barton of Ashurst LLP.