A controversial 450-home application has been given the go-ahead. Lack of a local plan and the likelihood of a rejection being overturned at appeal, with the authority forced to pay legal costs, were reasons councillors gave for the committee’s approval of the Gibraltar Farm development. The site on Ham Lane, Hempstead, has long been the subject of proposals, the most recent of which was rejected in January 2021 on the grounds the connecting walk and cycleway to Lordswood would harm local bat populations. However, more analysis has been done by the council which believes the proposed lighting …
