Plans for housing estate on edge of village approved

Plans for hundreds of homes on the edge of a village in Leicestershire have been approved by councillors.

The development off Winchester Road in Blaby prompted more than 100 objections, which included concerns over an increase in traffic.

Blaby District Council gave full planning permission for 77 homes at Keepers Farm, as well as outline permission for more than 260 additional homes on the site and a country park.

Developers Bonnel Homes and Woods Hardwick intend to demolish a farmhouse and outbuildings to make way for the development.

The 77-home planning application included 20 affordable properties, as well as office and retail space.

The outline application was for up to 268 further homes on the site, including 67 affordable properties, and an 8.47-hectare (21-acre) country park.

Marie and Rob Amey, of Winchester Road, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they were worried that infrastructure wouldn't cope, claiming traffic in the area was already "horrendous".

Blaby parish councillor Sue Jordan spoke out about the application at the meeting.

She said: "The village has accommodated significant residential development in recent years and has contributed substantially towards meeting local housing needs.

"In the parish council's view, there is no demonstrable justification for imposing further large-scale housing development in the village, particularly when existing [housing] targets have already been surpassed."

Jordan said the development would also bring increased traffic congestion to the village.

Leicestershire County Council, acting as the highways authority, said the development would not have an unacceptable impact on road safety and that the effect on the road network would not be severe.

Despite the concerns raised, the application was unanimously approved.

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