Leicester Mercury

Estate of 55 homes set to be approved

- By NICK DAWSON nicholas.dawson@reachplc.com mailbox@leicesterm­ercury.co.uk

AN estate of 55 homes has been recommende­d for approval in Barlestone, months after plans were approved for 99 homes in the village.

Leicesters­hire County Council has applied for permission to develop an area of fields along Barton Road, at the western edge of the village.

The developmen­t, which would include 40 per cent of homes classed as affordable, would be accessed via a new T-junction in Barton Road.

Hedgerows and trees within the site would be largely retained according to the applicatio­n, with some additional planting to take place along the northern edge of the developmen­t, while a public open space would be created to the west of the site.

The 30mph speed limit on part of the road would be extended westwards, to include the entrance to the developmen­t. The proposal has been recommende­d for approval by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, but several residents have written in to oppose the scheme.

Locals have raised concerns about the increase in traffic the homes would bring, with Barlestone said to be “already congested”.

Others have said they feared the village’s facilities were already at capacity, including the primary school and doctor’s surgery.

The village is already set for a sizeable increase, as plans were approved in May to build 99 affordable homes at Garden Farm, off Bagworth Road, at the other end of the village.

More than 150 residents wrote to oppose that scheme.

Similar concerns were raised about an increase in traffic along narrow roads in the village, and also that the site access would involve removing mature hedgerow.

Other objectors said the work would cause noise and disturbanc­e for residents.

Owl Homes is working with Midland Heart Housing Associatio­n to deliver the homes, which will include 50 rented and 49 shared-ownership properties.

In addition, plans were filed in April for an estate of 50 homes on greenfield land off Bagworth Road, with the scheme yet to be decided on.

The planning committee at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will decide on the 55 homes scheme at a meeting next Tuesday, at 6.30pm.

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VILLAGERS CONCERNED

 ?? GOOGLE ?? OBJECTIONS: Fields to the west of Barlestone, where 55 homes could be built
GOOGLE OBJECTIONS: Fields to the west of Barlestone, where 55 homes could be built

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