Sandy Park Farm Partnership v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Ors

Sandy Park Farm Partnership v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Ors

The inspector did not misunderstand or misapply policy CP19 of the Exeter Core Strategy; he gave adequate and rational reasons for attributing limited weight to the Newcourt Masterplan and lawfully discharged his duty under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 regarding protected bat species. The claim is dismissed.

Parties
Claimant: Sandy Park Farm Partnership; First Defendant: Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government; Second Defendant: Waddeton Park Limited; Third Defendant: Exeter City Council
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
26 February 2026
Procedural Posture
Judicial Review (planning) / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim dismissed
Legal Topics
Interpretation of Development Plan Policy, Material Considerations in Planning Decisions, Protected Species and Habitats, Judicial Review of Planning Decisions
Planning Law Environmental Law Administrative Law Interpretation of Development Plan Policy Material Considerations in Planning Decisions Protected Species and Habitats Judicial Review of Planning Decisions

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Parties

Sandy Park Farm Partnership

Claimant

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government

First Defendant

Waddeton Park Limited

Second Defendant

Exeter City Council

Third Defendant

Procedural Posture

Judicial Review (planning) / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the inspector misunderstood or misapplied policy CP19 of the Exeter Core Strategy regarding access arrangements and green infrastructure routes.
  2. 2 Whether the inspector gave adequate and rational reasons for attributing limited weight to the Newcourt Masterplan as a material consideration.
  3. 3 Whether the inspector lawfully discharged his duty under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 regarding the impact on protected bat species.

Ratio Decidendi

The inspector did not misunderstand or misapply policy CP19 of the Exeter Core Strategy; he gave adequate and rational reasons for attributing limited weight to the Newcourt Masterplan and lawfully discharged his duty under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 regarding protected bat species. The claim is dismissed.

Court Disposition

Claim dismissed