The next stage of the Public Inquiry into B&NES Council's Core Strategy will continue as planned, following an independent Planning Inspector last week dismissing objections that the plan did not take account of unmet housing need from other areas, like Bristol.
Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said: "It is good news that the Core Strategy will proceed. Let's be clear. Had the Inspector called a halt to the process, this would have played into the hands of developers and encouraged speculative development proposals around our area in unsustainable locations. Most probably, these locations would have resulted in a free-for-all green field land grab.
"The Core Strategy focuses development on brownfield sites as far as possible and seeks to limit the use of Green Belt land to achieve our homes target to support local need."
The Examination will now continue, enabling all parties to have their say in the number of houses being proposed and the locations for development.
Editor: Many will argue that the 'free-for-all green field land grab' has already taken place. Now it is all about damage limitation, which is of no consolation to residents.