New estate on Earl Shilton farmland

PLANS to build 350 homes on farmland near Earl Shilton town centre have been approved after finally coming before councillors.

The initial outline application from JGP Properties was submitted last year, with consultation with residents and council officers ongoing since 2014.

At last week’s planning committee, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Councillors approved the scheme on the 15.68 hectare site at Westfield Farm off Keats Lane.

It will be brought forward more quickly than housing provision within the Earl Shilton SUE, which is set to provide a minimum of 1,600 and which is yet to be the subject of a planning application.

The project was subject to a number of Section 106 conditions requiring JGP Properties to pay £3.4 million in support of public amenities such as schools, open space, public realm improvements, health- care, highways, and police cover.

This will see a multi-use games area provided at Weavers Springs Park and improved access to the nearby Health Lane Medical Centre, allowing for future expansion.

As part of the estate the developer is also setting aside 0.6 hectares for employment starter units as well as open space.

Around 20% of the homes will be affordable housing, with 21 one bed coach houses, 31 two bed houses and bungalows, 14 three bed houses and four four bed houses.

The plans prompted 17 letters of objection citing traffic and highways issues, loss of greenspace, poor provision of amenities and adverse impact on the landscape and the character of the town.

Councillors were told: “The proposed development is not plan-led and sits outside of, but adjacent to the settlement boundary of Earl Shilton. libraries The location of the proposed development adjacent to Earl Shilton’s urban area and the identified infrastructure improvements would contribute towards ensuring a sustainable form of development.

“The proposed development would result in a number of benefits to the existing and proposed population. It would contribute to social sustainability through the provision of additional homes which would increase supply and choice for the local population, provide work in Earl Shilton in construction related jobs and services and through the delivery of the proposed employment land, provide additional amenity facilities that would benefit Earl Shilton, including public realm improvements in the distinct centre and to public open space, improve road access and provide land that would facilitate the extension of Heath Lane Medical Centre.