The public inquiry into Westbrook's appeal against the city council's refusal of planning permission, which was due to begin on 12th May, has been postponed until September 22nd next because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The delay will mean that the referral of the Inspector's recommendation to the Secretary of State is unlikely to take place until the end of the year.

Both Westbrook and the city council will be represented by leading planning lawyers at the inquiry, which is expected to last 6-7 days, and interested parties will be permitted to speak and put their objections to the Planning Inspector. 

The time-table for the principal parties submitting their proofs of evidence to the Planning Inspectorate has now been extended until 25th of August.

After receiving the Inspector's recommendation, the Secretary of State will make a final decision balancing the relevant planning guidance against the public interest.

In announcing the decision to refer the decision to the Secretary of State, the Planning Inspectorate stated: "the appeal involves proposals for the development of over 150 units or on sites of over 5 hectares, which would significantly impact on the Government's objectives to secure a better balance between housing demand and supply and create high quality, sustainable, mixed and inclusive communities."

Objectors have made it clear that Westbrook's plans do not create a "high quality, sustainable, mixed and inclusive" community but destroy an existing community in pursuit of their hotel expansion plans and profit objectives.

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