This week the Vale Planning committee voted to defer the decision on this application to allow for time for an architectural review. There was significant unease about the design, how it fits into the neighbourhood, and the visual impact on surrounding areas, including as far as Oxford.

It will likely come back to committee in about a month. In the meantime, I am working with Vale officers and local residents to arrange to bring all parties to the table for a positive and constructive talk. We recognise this development will happen, and we want to do everything possible to ensure it fits in well with life in upper Elms Rise.

It’s not clear whether this deferment will be appealed; Bovis are keen to get started, since they’ve already had to wait a few years. We should know more by the end of August.