A HIGH Court judge has overturned a planning inspector's decision to allow planning permission for the controversial Moorfields housing scheme in Willaston.

Last August, a planning inspector granted consent for the proposal by Richborough Estates to build 146 houses on a green field site.

However, the council sought to overturn the decision and has been successful in their attempts, with costs for the High Court action awarded to Cheshire East.

However another appeal is due to be heard in the coming months.

Wistaston Ward's Cllr Margaret Simon, said: "Cllr Weatherill and I have worked tirelessly to oppose applications for unwanted development on Green Gap land in Wistaston Ward.

“This is a massive victory which sends out a clear message that Cheshire East Council is prepared to do everything it can to save our Crewe and Nantwich Green Gaps.

“Winning this Judicial Review and also the recent Gresty Oaks appeal gives the strongest message to developers that speculating on our Green Gaps is unacceptable."

In her judgement, Mrs Justice Lang said that for many years the council’s local planning policies had sought to maintain the separate identities of Nantwich, Crewe and the settlements between them.

She said the council had tried to preserve areas of open countryside from encroachment.

She added that she doubted the National Planning Policy Framework was intended to be used to routinely bypass local policies, which were protecting specific local features and landscapes.

Mrs Justice said Green Gap policy should not be set aside simply because the Council did not currently enjoy a five-year supply of housing land.

The High Court judgement comes just a month after the Secretary of State supported the council’s refusal of a plan to build up to 880 homes at Gresty Oaks, Shavington.

Responding to the latest judgement, Cheshire East Council Leader, Michael Jones, said: “I hope our critics will take note of this.

“This is yet another vindication of our policy to promote only sustainable development and to resist unsuitable, inappropriate development in the green gap.

“I am committed to protecting our communities from intrusive housing schemes, while endeavouring to see new homes built in areas of the borough where they are really needed and do not conflict with planning policy.”