Farmland ‘being lost to homes at alarming rate’
VILLAGE ‘LOSING RURAL SETTING’
HOUSING developments are destroying swathes of countryside around a village “at an alarming rate”, a resident has warned.
Geoff Coxon has lived in Higham on the Hill for over 60 years and fears his home is losing its rural setting as houses are being added to the north of Hinckley and Nuneaton, and along the A5.
Plans were recently filed for 61 homes, in a field off Wood Lane, by DLP Planning, on behalf of Robert Jones.
Vehicles would access the site via an entrance in Wood Lane and the development would include a shop.
Mr Coxon has objected to the proposal, which he fears will encourage the sale of neighbouring fields for housing, warning that eventually Higham could become a suburb of Nuneaton.
In a letter to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, he said: “The development would result in the loss of open countryside views with the best unobtrusive panoramic views to the horizon from the west side of Higham on the Hill.
“The views include Hartshill Hayes Country Park with its ancient forest and sloping meadows. The views provide the best backdrop for the most fantastic sunsets.
“Apart from the families of the properties that face this view, the view is also enjoyed by Higham residents from Wood Lane.
“Wood Lane is a country lane and it is used by villagers for walking and cycling.
“Too much traffic uses Wood Lane to get onto the A5 already.
“The proposed housing development will only compound this situation.”
He said houses built along the other side of the A5 have already changed “what was once a pleasant country view into a nearby menacing presence”.
Fields between Higham Lane and Weddington have been identified by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for potentially providing 1,750 homes.
Mr Coxon said the northern edge of Hinckley is extending towards the village, with the first stage of an 850home development being built by Bloor Homes, off the A47 perimeter road.