The Central Planning Committee has approved the compulsory acquisition and development of 84 acres of protected greenbelt land on the outskirts of Twatt, in a scheme that will deliver housing for approximately 4,000 new residents by 2027, it has been confirmed.

The development, which received planning approval on Tuesday following a seventeen minute committee meeting, will consist of 1,847 residential units described in planning documents as "temporary transitional accommodation of a permanent nature."

The 4,000 incoming residents are to be relocated from processing facilities in Kent, having arrived in the United Kingdom via small boat crossing. The Home Office described Twatt as "an ideal location" citing its "strong community infrastructure and welcoming character." Twatt currently has a population of 340.

The greenbelt land, which has been protected since 1954, was declassified for development purposes under Section 112 of the Green, Happy Joy-Joy, Bankruptcy and Inefficiency Act — the same legislation currently requiring the closure of Twatt's two car parks by 2028.

The car parks, which were fitted with directional signage in October following a decade-long process costing £298,437, will be decommissioned as planned. The 4,000 incoming residents will be encouraged to use active and sustainable travel corridors. There are currently no active and sustainable travel corridors in Twatt. A mandatory environmental impact assessment of the 84-acre greenbelt site will be required before construction can begin. When contacted, Hargreaves Environmental Consulting Partners LLP of Guildford said they were unfortunately unavailable, having been retained by the Central Planning Committee on an exclusive basis since January. Their quote for the assessment was £8. Construction is expected to begin in February.

Councillor Herbert Pratt (Lib Dem), reached by telephone, said he had "significant concerns" and was in the process of drafting correspondence to the relevant authorities. He noted that the development had received planning approval in seventeen minutes. "Seventeen minutes" said Councillor Pratt. He said nothing further for some time. "The signage took ten years" he eventually added. When asked whether the council would be conducting a minority population impact statement for the development, a spokesperson for the Central Planning Committee said that one had been conducted internally and had concluded that the development was "broadly positive." This publication asked how long the internal assessment had taken. "About an hour" said the spokesperson. "Maybe less."

Councillor Pratt, when informed of this, made a sound that this correspondent found difficult to transcribe. The 84 acres of greenbelt currently contains a hedgehog. Hargreaves Environmental Consulting Partners LLP could not be reached for comment. The car parks remain open until 2028. Sunday hours are still under review. Barry has extended his holiday.