THE Planning Inspectorate is being urged to reconsider the decision to hold the new public inquiry over proposals to build 1,200 homes on Peel Hall virtually.

In 2018, developer Satnam Millennium Ltd appealed against the decision of the council’s development management committee to refuse the masterplan for the Houghton Green site.

Satnam’s appeal was dismissed by the secretary of state. However, the High Court overturned the decision in October last year.

This means that a new public inquiry into Peel Hall will be held, with a different inspector. It is set to take place on September 14.

The council is committed to ‘strongly defending’ its case against the proposed development on the basis that it would adversely affect the surrounding highway network.

The council, along with campaigners, has objected to holding the new inquiry virtually, using remote video-conferencing technology, rather than being held physically.

But it has been left disappointed by the Planning Inspectorate’s stance on the issue.

In a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, council leader Cllr Russ Bowden and chief executive Steven Broomhead said they have read the decision to proceed to hold the virtual inquiry on September 14 with ‘disappointment and frustration’.

They added: “While we understand that the approach on which you have decided is intended to make progress with the inquiry in a manner that seeks to accommodate the restrictions posed by the coronavirus pandemic, in this particular case, we strongly believe the public would be at a disadvantage by adopting this method.

“The proposed Peel Hall development has a long history, which we know you are aware of, and when coupled with the inconsistencies in format and approach to the inquiries over time that would result from the remote approach, we are strongly of the opinion that the public are placed at a disadvantage.

“We, therefore, urge you to reconsider your decision and look forward to hearing from you at the earliest opportunity.”