Campaigners call for judicial review to stop 400 homes development at Cloakham Lawns

THE fight to stop 400 homes being built at Cloakham Lawns, in Axminster, stepped up a gear last night.

The town council – which is opposed to the development – was asked to consider calling for a judicial review into the planning authority’s decision to grant outline permission.

Campaigner Fred Wells said time was running out to prevent the massive scheme and safeguard hopes of a north-south bypass.

“Now is the time to initiate a judicial review and I suggest the council become actively involved in that ,” he said.

Mr Wells said to start the process would cost around �1,500 and a pre-application would halt the planning process and give them time to consider further action.

Councillor Jerry Walden warned that a judicial review would cost the council a lot of money – a year’s precept just to think about it.

“We need to know what we are doing,” he said.

The council agreed to call a special meeting – open to the public - to discuss their next move and invite a specialist planning lawyer to address them.