Campaign to save Wandon Park from 60-home development may consider legal action

The Friends of Wandon Recreation Park oppose the proposals by Luton Borough Council's housing company, Foxhall Homes Limited, to build 60 properties on their local park in Wigmore.

The campaign group approached consultants The Leith Planning Group to examine the project and produce an in-depth report, which has also been submitted to the council.

"We consider the planning application and supporting documents are an unacceptable development," the planning consultancy said.

"It's our professional opinion that the scheme as presented is grossly misconceived and technically inchoate.

"We consider this project has had complete disregard to the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework and the adopted Luton Local Plan.

"As presented, it fails to show exceptional circumstances to justify the loss of Wandon Park as a neighbourhood park.

"Approval would be detrimental to the local community over access to open space which it's enjoyed for decades, potentially impacting the health, mental health and overall well-being of residents."

As the council declared a climate emergency in January 2020, it should be looking at ways to protect its valuable green spaces for residents, according to the planning consultants.

Such areas will play a role in helping the local authority meet its carbon neutral targets by 2040, the report explained.

By building on them, the council is delivering "properties which aren't needed because of an adequate five-year housing land supply" locally.

"Based on our review of the application we have no option other than to advise our client to object to the proposed development," added the report.

"It's our professional view that the project should either be refused outright or is withdrawn, so that matters raised can be addressed.

"Should the application be positively determined in its current state then our advice to our client would be to proceed with an appeal or other forms of legal recourse."

The development consists of nine two-bed maisonettes, four two-bedroom homes, 16 three-bed, 29 four-bedroom and two five-bed properties, with access from Hayling Drive.

There would be a relocation of public open space to adjacent former school playing fields on land in North Hertfordshire, which the Friends describe as "isolated, hidden behind trees and unsafe for residents to use".

Two petitions, one with 480 signatures and the other with 309, had been gathered in protest and presented previously to the council.

There were also 179 individual representations opposing the development, which was approved on the casting vote of the development control committee chairman.

Conservative Bramingham councillor Gilbert Campbell asked for a deferral to a full council meeting, when another vote is expected to take place.

Agent for the applicant James Holmes said: "This scheme comes in at 28 per cent affordable, which is a significant planning benefit.

"This is unique this situation. There are no other parks in Luton which could be considered in this way.

"There's a large site within the control of the applicant right next door.

"So this is an exception and that's why it complies with policy."

The development is due to be considered at a full council meeting on March 9.