Developer wins appeal to build on woodland

A Norfolk council has been found to have acted unreasonably when it turned down plans to build 36 holiday lodges in woodland.

The developer, Forestscape, has won an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to create eco lodges and a wild swimming lake at Pentney Woods, near King's Lynn.

West Norfolk Council has been ordered to pay the developer's legal costs by government officials.

Some local residents and councillors had opposed the plan, citing concerns about the environmental impacts and light and noise pollution.

Councillors on the planning committee refused the application last year, despite officers recommending that it was approved.

Now officials at the Planning Inspectorate, the government department that presides over planning disputes, have overturned that decision.

The inspector found the council's planning committee had failed to provide adequate justification for why the change of use of the woodland could not go ahead.

The official decided the scheme would not harm the character of the area and noted that the developer had agreed to pay £10,950 towards mitigation measures to offset any potential effects on the environment.

Officials ruled that the council would have to pay all of the costs incurred through the appeal.

The inspector said: "I find that unreasonable behaviour resulting in unnecessary or wasted expense at the appeal stage…has been demonstrated."

West Norfolk Council has been contacted for comment.

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