The Branston Locks proposals, which cover 136 hectares of land, comprise up to 2,500 new homes, over 90,000 square metres of business space, a local centre, shops, a primary school, a hotel, restaurants and pubs.
East Staffordshire Borough Council resolved to approve the outline application for the scheme in January, subject to referral to the secretary of state. Following the decision by Pickles not to call in the proposals for his determination, planning permission is now subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement.
“Getting the all-clear from the secretary of state is one of the final hurdles in the planning process," said Nurton development director Rupert Young according to a report by EGi.
“The rest is down to negotiation and the majority of the areas of details have already been agreed. This decision demonstrates that the government is standing by its National Planning Policy Framework’s presumption in favour of sustainable development and is serious about ensuring that the large numbers of new homes required are delivered,” Young said.