PLANS to build a 1,200-home development in Edwalton could compromise the growth of Greater Nottingham, an inquiry heard.

Rushcliffe Borough Council said it was too early to assess the full impact of building on green-belt land at Sharphill as it was still working on a strategy for large-scale developments.

Andrew Hogan, representing the council, said that without this strategy – due to be completed in 2012 – it would not be able to judge whether the infrastructure could cope.

"The district councils across Greater Nottingham are in the process of preparing a new raft of planning documents as part of their Local Development Frameworks (LDFs), including their core strategies which will seek to establish the most appropriate suite of locations in and around the conurbation for housing development," he said. "The work that is to be undertaken will ensure that the interaction of different site combinations across Greater Nottingham are fully understood.

"If the development of Sharphill is a 'given,' in advance of the LDF, then there would be prejudice to that process with the possibility that wider objectives of growth could be compromised."

More than 160 residents attended the start of the inquiry at West Bridgford Community Hall today, held to consider an appeal against Rushcliffe Borough Council's refusal of the plans in July 23, 2008. Inspector John Gray was told three of the council's 13 reasons for refusal had been withdrawn.

And Peter Goatley, for the Highways Agency, told the inspector that objections over the impact on the Knight and Wheatcroft roundabouts could "shortly" be withdrawn.

Ian Dove QC, representing the appellants David Wilson Homes and Mr Brian Wells, said 30% of the 1,200 homes proposed would be affordable housing.

It would also provide a relocation site for South Notts College, a Business Innovation Centre and square metres of offices. The plans include a school, shopping centre, community facilities, a 35-hectare community park and sports facilities.

Mr Dove QC, said: "The supply of affordable housing in or adjoining the Nottingham Principal Urban Area in Rushcliffe is in crisis. There is little potential supply that can be identified, and a very large number of households who are in need with no means other than this appeal site for the council to start addressing those needs.

"In the light of the designation of Nottingham as a new growth point and also in the light of recent household projections... there is a significantly increased requirement for housing development within the Nottingham housing market area and within Rushcliffe in particular."

Mr Dove said this provided the "very special circumstances" needed to release green-belt land for development.

"There is, therefore, no substance in any of the objections raised by the council largely on the basis of outdated policies and an approach which seeks to overlook the substantial requirement for housing," he said.

Proceeding