Frustration as plan for 270 village homes resurrected
CHANGE TO GUIDANCE MEANS BATTLE WHICH VILLAGERS THOUGHT WAS WON IS BACK ON
A REJECTED plan to build hundreds of homes on the edge of a village has re-emerged as developers make a fresh attempt to get it over the line.
Proposals to build 270 houses on 44 acres of farmland to the east of East Goscote were turned down by councillors three years ago.
Developer Gladman attempted to have Charnwood Borough Council’s decision to refuse planning permission overturned by a government planning inspector, but the firm’s appeal was rejected on the grounds that the new estate would be unsustainable building outside the village boundary.
However Gladman Developments Ltd has now lodged another planning application for the site, which sits between the village and the A607 Rearsby bypass, for the same number of homes.
Residents are again opposed to the scheme, for many of the same reasons they were when the plan was originally resisted and argue little has changed to make it acceptable now.
They remain concerned that public services, such as the GP practice and the school, would not be able to cope with the anticipated 650 new people living in the homes. There are also worries about the volume of traffic that will be generated by the homes, particularly on the bypass, while there are concerns about road safety at the proposed access from Melton Road.
There are also fears that the scheme would swallow up greenfield land and open the door to future development on the space that currently divides East Gostcote and Rearsby, to the north.
Charnwood Borough Council has indicated that when it first refused the scheme, it was able to show it had already earmarked a fiveyear supply of land for housing elsewhere as required by the government.
However, changes to national planning guidance have increased the quota of houses now expected to be built in the borough, so the five-year supply can no longer be supplied and Gladman has reapplied.
Gladman has argued the scheme will benefit current and future residents and provide public open space, including a park and play area.
It says nearly a third of the new homes would be “affordable” properties built to high standards. The firm has indicated it will negotiate appropriate payments for public services with the council.
It said: “We believe that a development should provide an opportunity to improve the range and quality of services that are available in East Goscote.”
The firms said 253 construction jobs would be created over the seven-year building period. The Cheshire company has consulted residents on its plan, asking them if they had any ideas on how it could be improved.
One said: “Yes. Go build in Cheshire.
“You have no idea how overcrowded the roads are around here.”
Another suggested Gladman should commit to building a school and expanding the doctors’ surgery.
Borough council planners are considering the latest application.
Improve the plan? Yes, go build in Cheshire. You have no idea how crowded the roads are
Resident, in consultation