Council backs “sustainable neighbourhood”

Plans for the construction of hundreds of homes in a Leicestershire village in what the applicant describes as a “sustainable neighbourhood” have been backed by the council.Jelson Homes, which was established in 1889, sought outline permission to build up to 343 properties on land south of Sapcote Road in Burbage. Extending to approximately 39.5 acres, the site broadly consists of agricultural land.Proposals comprise a mix of two- to five-bedroom units, 20 per cent of which will be allocated as affordable. A network of green infrastructure would be provided, including an equipped children’s play area.An outline planning application was submitted to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council in November 2022 for the redevelopment of the site.During the determination of the 2022 application, Leicestershire County Council Highways raised concerns regarding the proposed access arrangements submitted. It was subsequently refused under delegated powers on 30 March 2023.Since this time, Jelson and its highways consultant Tetra Tech have engaged in discussion with LCC Highways in relation to its comments on the 2022 application. Tetra Tech has produced an alternative access strategy which now features as part of this revised application.”Land to the east of Burbage will provide a high-quality, sustainable neighbourhood where people want to live and enjoy their spare time together,” a statement from the applicant said. “It will be a distinctive community which is designed to respect its context and draw upon the best aspects of the character of the village of Burbage, whilst reflecting the way people want to live today.”The neighbourhood will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of Burbage, providing much-needed housing in a well-designed environment, which will support the vitality of existing services and facilities in the village and the surrounding area.”A report drawn up for Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s planning committee – which met on 13 February – said: “Taking into account the housing land supply position and the need for affordable homes within the borough, it is considered that the adverse impacts of the proposed development would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”Members have voted to support the scheme, subject to conditions.The previously refused application is the subject of a live appeal, a public inquiry into which opened on 23 January 2024. Before the inquiry opened, the county council and National Highways agreed a ‘Statement of Common Ground’ that confirmed that the reasons for refusal had been “addressed to their satisfaction”.Consequently, neither party offered any evidence against the proposed development. The inquiry was adjourned at the end of the first day “because the inspector wished to discuss a number of matters beyond the highway issues referred to in the reasons for refusal and the parties were not in a position to be able to address them”.”These other matters are not in dispute, are not the subject of detailed evidence and required the input of experts not present”, the report added. “The inquiry will re-open at a date to be agreed, when additional experts can be made available.”