DESPITE fears it could be months before it was known if a 200-home estate in Petersfield would be built, a decision has been announced almost immediately.

In an unexpected letter to developers and planners, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Greg Clarke MP said he is: “content that it (the planning application) should be determined by the local planning authority.”

This means the decision by the South Downs National Park Authority’s planning committee to approve plans for the estate on Causeway Farm will stand.

At the committee meeting members were told Mr Clarke was considering reviewing the plans and permission to build, and until his decision either to do so or not was made, work couldn’t start.

South Downs planning director Tim Slaney told the meeting in Midhurst on May 12, it could be months before Mr Clarke reached a decision.

If at review it was thought that granting permission to build wasn’t a sound decision, a public inquiry chaired by a barrister would be launched to either agree or revoke the permission.

But by not calling in the plans, the government appears to have given it’s blessing to what is the biggest greenfield development ever permitted in a national park.

The letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government concluded: “The Secretary of State has decided not to call in this application.”

In a statement, jubilant developers David Wilson Homes and Bovis Homes said it was hoped work on the 12 hectare site could begin as soon as possible.

Stuart Goodwill, head of planning at David Wilson Homes’ Southampton division, said: “We are delighted that the Secretary of State has decided not to intervene in the South Downs National Park Authority’s (SDNPA) planning committee approval of our proposals.

“The committee recognised the hard work of our team and SDNPA?planning officers to develop an exemplar scheme which sets a high benchmark for the area.

“Our plans will provide a significant contribution to local housing need, especially the need for affordable housing with the provision of 80 affordable units.”