282-homes plan for county village given green light
RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC
A CONTROVERSIAL scheme for 282 homes in Markfield village has been approved by councillors.
The houses will be built on fields to the south of London Road, with the access to the estate from London Road itself and Dr Wright Close.
The complex will include 40 per cent of homes classed as affordable, three quarters of which will be social rented properties, while the rest will have shared ownership.
Several residents spoke out against the scheme during the planning meeting where it was considered, raising concerns about additional traffic and pollution.
The planning application was submitted by Jelson Homes, which previously built 140 properties off Lon- don Road after it was granted permission on appeal in 2011.
Councillor Matthew
Lay, who represents Markfield, Stanton and Field Head on Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, said he agreed with residents’ concerns, but that if they turned down the application it would be granted on appeal.
He also said that refusing the scheme would compromise the draft Markfield
AND POLLUTION
Neighbourhood Plan, which designates the site where the homes are to be built as appropriate for development.
He told his fellow councillors: “I cannot stand before my community, a community I have represented for 26 years, was born in and whose family goes back generations into the midst of time, and not do what I can to preserve the integrity of it. “To oppose this application tonight would be the shallowest of shallow gestures on my part, knowing full well that any appeal is certain to allow it as it did before.
“But it would also open the door to much more unplanned development as we cast aside a well thought through neighbourhood plan, that is proportional to our community, has plans for growth and has been supported by that community.”
The scheme was approved by 15 votes with one abstention.
To oppose this application would be knowing full well any appeal is certain to allow it
Coun Lay