Fresh Leicestershire housing advances

Plans for new housing on agricultural land in Leicestershire have moved forward.Clarendon Land & Development brought forward outline plans to build up to 65 homes on the southern side of Gaddesby Lane in Rearsby.The site is an agricultural field in use as arable farmland.Proposals include 26 affordable properties, split between 77 per cent affordable rent and/or social rent and 23 per cent affordable ownership.A report drawn up for Charnwood Borough Council – whose planning committee met on 25 May – said: “It is considered that there are no impacts of the development of this site that cannot be mitigated and that would be so significant and demonstrably harmful as to outweigh the benefits of approving this housing proposal.”The benefits relate to the contribution of the proposal to the council’s housing land supply deficit, its deliverability, sustainable location, affordable housing contribution, community and other infrastructure provision.”Members voted to approve the scheme, subject to conditions.Ross Jackson, land director at Clarendon Land and Development, added: “In conjunction with the team at Fisher German, we have promoted the site through the emerging Local Plan as a proposed housing allocation, working with officers to demonstrate the deliverability and benefits of a scheme in this location.”We now look forward to sourcing a development partner to deliver this fantastic scheme.”Fisher German’s development agency team will now look to sell the land to a housing developer so that the new homes can be built, subject to reserved matters being approved.Victoria Heath, planner at Fisher German, said: “Now that outline planning permission has been granted, we are looking forward to selling the site to developers to make these homes a reality.”The development will bring much-needed houses to the area, and with 40 per cent being affordable, it means there is an excellent opportunity for those who cannot afford to buy at market rates to be able to settle down in the village.”