Great news that the independent Planning Inspector has rejected the developer’s appeal and the proposed 3-story block of flats will not go ahead. The Civic Society – and a strong team of local residents – argued vigorously against this proposal and in support of the District Council who had opposed it from the start. The inspector’s view was that the loss of young people’s sports facilities, and the damage to the character of the Conservation Area and the setting of its historic buildings, outweighed the benefits of 9 upmarket flats.