CONTROVERSIAL plans for a 3,333 plot Muslim burial ground in Catherine-de-Barnes have been unanimously refused by planning chiefs.
The proposal would have meant significant development on Greenbelt land – and although the developer outlined ‘special circumstances’ which would allow the project councillors did not believe they were significant enough to be given the green light.
The plan was refused on the grounds that it was ‘inappropriate development within the Greenbelt’ and would cause harm to the area, character and openness of the locality in the area.
Another reason for refusal was because it would cause a conflict between fast moving traffic along Catherine-de-Barnes Lane and queuing and slow moving vehicles attempting to access the site.
Speaking after the meeting Coun David Bell, Chair of the planning committee said: “The committee were unanimous in agreeing with officers that the development was in the Greenbelt, there were problems with traffic and the environment, and the applicants did not advance a case that justified a special need to develop the Greenbelt.”
This is the third application put in by developers to create a cemetery on Woodhouse Farm in Catherine-de-Barnes Lane – the first was withdrawn in and the second was refused on a number of issues by the planning committee in October 2014 including highway safety and pollution of controlled water in the area.
The previous application was also refused because it did not meet the very special circumstances to build on the Greenbelt.
