Residents of historic town saying ‘enough is enough...’
RESIDENTS of Market Bosworth are worried their small town could soon become overdeveloped as more than 400 homes could be built there over the coming years, increasing the area’s number of houses by almost 50 per cent.
Developers are eyeing up several greenfield sites around the town, with four large applications this year alone, which could add more than 330 new homes.
Market Bosworth Parish Council said it was alarmed at the area being “inundated” with applications by developers.
A spokesperson said: “With the three schools, the doctors, dentists and other services already over capacity, a medieval town centre already straining to cope with increased traffic, a lack of parking in the town and the increase in numbers of visitors and tourists to the area, it is not surprising the community is saying enough is enough.”
The council has worked over recent years to ensure future growth is sustainable, becoming the first parish in Hinckley and Bosworth borough to produce a neighbourhood plan.
The plan, for the period 2014 to 2026, outlined that new developments should be focused on land to the south of Station Road.
Two suitable sites have been identified to the south of the road - the
A lack of parking in the town and the increase in numbers of visitors and tourists to the area, it is not surprising the community is saying enough is enough.
Station Fields complex, where 100 homes and an employment space are set to be built, and the nearby Sedgemere site, where an estate of homes may be
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A masterplan for Station Fields was agreed last year by the borough council and several local groups, including the parish council.
The plan outlines their vision for the site, with developers now invited to submit detailed applications for developing the greenfield land.
Meanwhile, the application for Sedgemere, a resubmission from Owl Homes filed earlier this year, is to be decided on by the borough council’s planning committee next week.
Officers have recommended the scheme for approval.
But developers have ambitions to clear away even more green space for new homes, with Gladman resubmitting a scheme earlier this year for 90 homes off Shenton Lane, while Ainscough Strategic Land has filed plans to build 105 homes to the north of Station Road.
Richborough also applied to build 63 homes this year along the road that leads up to the Kyngs Golf and Country Club, off Station Road, which is set to soon reopen.
Councillors turned down this scheme over concerns it would spoil the character of the area and go against the neighbourhood plan, but the developer has now appealed the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.
Plans were approved in May 2020 to re-open the disused golf course, which is to be revamped with a new clubhouse and a holiday complex with six cabins.