Plans for a Henlow housing estate have been shelved after a Government-appointed planning inspector upheld a decision by Central Bedfordshire Council to reject the proposal.

ff A government appointed planning inspector has upheld a decision by Central Bedfordshire Council to refuse planning permission for a housing development on open countryside in Henlow.

In July 2013 Gladman Developments submitted an outline planning application for the development of 93 dwellings at a site rear of 102 to 126 High Street in Henlow. The council refused the application on the grounds that it was outside of the Settlement Envelope and would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

Gladman appealed against the refusal and on 30 September 2014, a public inquiry was held during which the planning inspector, Christine Thorby, heard representations from both parties.

In a decision issued on 20 November, the planning inspector upheld the council?s decision to turn down Gladman?s application.

In her decision the inspector said: ?There would be harm to the character and appearance of the area conflicting with local and national policy and the adverse effects would demonstrably outweigh the benefits. The proposal would not be sustainable development and the appeal fails.?

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Regeneration, welcomed the inspector?s decision and said: ?I am extremely pleased with this outcome. This is a triumph for local people and for localism. The officers involved presented an excellent case and it comes as no surprise that the appeal failed.?

Jason Longhurst, Director for Regeneration, said: ?The council is keen to see new housing being built and is always working proactively to ensure a good supply of housing land. However, it is important that development happens in the right place and this scheme was resisted because it wasn?t. We will continue to work with communities and house builders to ensure appropriate locations for housing are identified.?