Our Planning team advises on appeal win for Hallam Land – unlocking 300-home scheme

The appeal, led by the team with direct advocacy at the Inquiry, followed Ashfield District Council’s failure to determine the application submitted in 2022. The appeal was lodged in July 2024, and the Planning Inspector allowed it in full in February 2025, granting consent for the development and delivering a strong rebuke to the Council for its application handling.

In an exceptional outcome, the Inspector concluded that the Council had acted unreasonably, awarding Hallam Land a full recovery of appeal costs—an outcome seldom granted and reflective of the strength of the case presented.

Additionally, as part of the appeal process, our team successfully demonstrated a reduction of approximately £2 million in planning obligation payments, that the Council could not justify.

The planning permission allows 300 new homes, extensive landscaping, ecological habitat improvements, and seven hectares of public open space, delivering a projected 12% Biodiversity Net Gain.

The appeal outcome unlocked an unconditional sale to Harron Homes for the site’s development.

The team was led by Richard Sagar, Partner and Head of Planning & Environment, with significant support from Chris Slater (Planning & Environment) and Rob Moore (Planning & Environment).

Discussing the appeal, Richard Sagar said, “We’re proud to have secured this appeal win on behalf of Hallam Land. Acting as an advocate at the Inquiry, we secured outline planning permission for 300 homes and achieved a full award of costs against the Council.

“This outcome remains the exception rather than the rule in planning appeals. Through detailed submissions, presentation of strong evidence and a robust appeal strategy, we reduced planning obligation liabilities by approximately £2 million.”

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