Green belt land can be sold to fund epilepsy research

The government has allowed the Epilepsy Society to sell green belt land to a developer, enabling 975 homes to be built.

The charity first submitted plans for its 300-acre site on Chesham Lane in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, in September 2022.

But after Buckinghamshire Council failed to make a decision, a public inquiry took place, and the planning inspector has now approved the plans.

The charity said the sale of its land would raise funds to support its vital work and future research into the causes and treatment of epilepsy. The council said it was "disappointed by the decision".

The Secretary of State, along with the Inspector, decided to allow the appeal and grant planning permission.

Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, said there would be harm to the character of the landscape, especially to those using the public footpaths that cross the site.

He also agreed that the harm was contrary to Local Plan Policy GB30, which requires development to be well integrated into its rural setting.

However, he added that the benefits of new homes, a primary school, and a care facility outweighed the development on green belt land.

He also considered that Buckinghamshire Council could not demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land.

He recognised the Epilepsy Society provides life-changing and potentially life-saving services to sufferers of uncontrolled epilepsy and agreed that there was a need for additional research.

In a statement, the Epilepsy Society said the sale of the land would realise about £93m, which would all be invested in medical equipment and research.

This would lead to faster diagnosis and better treatments for people with epilepsy across the country, it said.

Chief executive Clare Pelham said that "about one-third of the 630,000 people in the UK with epilepsy still experience uncontrolled seizures - exactly the same proportion as at the time of the charity's foundation in 1892".

"It is time-way past time-for this to change," she added.

"We hope that this investment will become a living legacy in the form of people enjoying freedom from seizures for the first time."

Peter Strachan, deputy leader of Buckinghamshire Council and cabinet member for planning. He said: "We are disappointed by the decision of the Secretary of State to allow this significant housing development in the green belt.

"The council will take time to consider the detail of the decision before commenting any further"

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