Yet Another Delay to Tesco/Homebase Inquiry Decision


Michael Gove now set to announce outcome in September

A visualisation of the local impact of the scheme created by Mike Spence
A visualisation of the local impact of the scheme created by Mike Spence

July 5, 2023

There has been another postponement of the announcement outcome of the Tesco/Homebase public inquiry.

The Secretary of State Michael Gove had originally been scheduled to make his decision in May but it was announced that month that he would not be able to do so until July.

Now a further postponement has been confirmed with the new deadline ‘on or before Tuesday 5 September 2023’.

No reason has been given for the delay but Hounslow Council and other interested parties have been informed that Mr Gove is still considering the report of the Inspector Mrs J A Vyse.

Assuming that a decision is actually made this September, it will be nearly 18 months after the opening of the inquiry and nearly a year after its conclusion.

The Department of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says, “We aim to issue to decision as quickly as possible.”

The proposal, which was first made over four years ago, is to build 16 tower blocks of up to 17 storeys high commenced over three and a half years ago. Opponents of the plan are hoping that Mr Gove will accept their argument that the high-rise nature of the scheme is inappropriate in an area characterised by two and three storey housing.

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