Inspector, Appeal Decision.“The Council’s position is that there is currently no need for the proposed development.… I find that there is, and will be in the future, a need for the development that is proposed and the nature of the accommodation it would provide.”
The appeal followed the refusal of planning consent by Telford & Wrekin Council for the development of a 74 bed care home on the extremity of Newport, Shropshire on 15th January 2025.
The appeal site occupies a position that is outside of the defined built-up area of the settlement of Newport and thus, for the purposes of the policies of the development plan, lies in a rural location. Reason for refusal 1 specifically identified the lack of need for care home provision as being unable to outweigh the harm caused by development in the rural area.
The Inspector, within his Decision, focused at an early point upon Policies HO7 and SP3 of the Telford & Wrekin Local Plan adopted in 2018. With both Policies referencing a requirement to demonstrate need for the proposal, the extent of care home need was identified by the Inspector as a ‘Main Issue’ for consideration and subsequently explored in full during the Hearing. Working alongside Robert Walton KC (Landmark Chambers), written and oral evidence on need was provided to the Hearing by Nigel Newton Taylor, Director of HPC. With the Inspector ultimately accepting a need for the development to exist, the appeal was allowed by way of decision dated 17th November 2025.
