A HIGH Court judge yesterday quashed the expansion of two neighbouring councils into the St Albans district. He ruled that neither Welwyn-Hatfield nor Dacorum councils could expand housing schemes in their areas over the border into St Albans. The ruling,
A HIGH Court judge yesterday quashed the expansion of two neighbouring councils into the St Albans district.
He ruled that neither Welwyn-Hatfield nor Dacorum councils could expand housing schemes in their areas over the border into St Albans.
The ruling, which the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears has 28 days to appeal against, is a huge victory for St Albans council.
It has been bitterly opposed to the development of 12,000 additional homes in Dacorum and 10,000 extra homes in Welwyn-Hatfield because to meet their housing targets, both would build over the border into St Albans and effectively concertina the district.
Delighted St Albans planning portfolio holder, Cllr Chris Brazier, said yesterday: "This proves that we have been vindicated in taking this to court. The judge said that the process of arriving at the decision was wrong."
The house-building targets are contained in the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East of England.
Keep checking www.hertsad24.co.uk for further updates.
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