The Public Inquiry into the appeal against the decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council to refuse planning permission for 175 homes off Asher Lane began on Tuesday 17th April under the appointed Inspector, Nick Fagan.
After opening speeches by Counsel for both sides, the first person to give evidence was Parish Councillor Paul Reedman, who made a statement against allowing the appeal, issued jointly by Ruddington Parish Council and Ruddington Action Group, before answering questions from the Inquiry.
Rushcliffe Borough Councillors Jean Greenwood, Martin Buckle and John Lungley also spoke against granting planning permission, as did numerous other residents of Ruddington.
The Inquiry continued on Wednesday 18th April, opening with evidence from Jan Witko, Principal Highways Officer at Nottinghamshire County Council.
Evidence was heard from Neil Bennison, a Highways Consultant, on behalf of the appellant on the morning of Thursday 19th April. The afternoon session heard evidence from Richard Mapletoft, Planning Policy Manager, and Kirsty Catlow, Area Planning Officer, both for Rushcliffe Borough Council, and concluded with evidence from John Wakefield, a Planning and Landscape Consultant, for the appellant.
Friday 20th April saw a site visit to Ruddington, led by Nick Fagan, and attended by representatives from both sides and interested parties.
The group visited the site which is proposed for development, as well as the High Street / Kirk Lane junction, where the appellants propose to install traffic lights, and the Kirk Lane / Loughborough Road junction.
After lunch, the Inquiry concluded with closing statements by Mr J. Owen, Counsel for Rushcliffe and Mr Paul Cairnes, QC, Counsel for the appellants.
Judgement in this matter has been reserved. A decision may be given in a few weeks but could be delayed because of the complexity of the case.
Councillor Paul Reedman