Claims units plan approved ‘behind doors’ dismissed
PROPOSALS
CLAIMS a controversial new commercial unit site has been approved “behind closed doors” have been dismissed by estate agents.
Concerns continue to grow over the proposal for Castle Donington, with dozens objecting to the plans.
The plan, which aims to meet demand for employment land in North West Leicestershire, would see land at Hill Top Farm transformed into a site for 35 commercial units.
The proposal would be a base for “smaller enterprises and start-ups” according to applicant John Hambleton, but concerns have been raised by residents and councillors, with more than 75 objections submitted over its need, as well as safety fears from increased traffic and pollution.
Worries heightened further when the site appeared on listings for Castle Donington-based Marble Property Services, advertising the units as “available to rent soon” – despite the plans not being formally approved by officials.
This led to speculation online the plans had been given the go-ahead “behind closed doors”, but the estate have hit back, insisting “no decision has been made”.
The listings, which advertise the site as available from March 3, 2025, are, according to Marble Property Services, purely “scoping” in nature and are being done to “assess the likely demand” for the units. The estate agents said the listing was common practice and that the assessment could determine the future decision made by North West Leicestershire District Council. A Marble Property Services spokesman said: “We have been asked to assess the likely demand for the site. No decision has been made and we would not support a plan that would concrete all over Castle Donington. We have been asked to explore the market for the developer.”
If approved, the units, which are described as “suitable for individual storage”, would be arranged in blocks of two, three and four, with access provided off Hill Top itself.
The site would be masked by landscaping and hedgerows to limit potential noise and prevent what developers said could be an “unacceptable loss of daylight or privacy” for neighbours living opposite.
Castle Donington Parish Council is among those against the scheme.
In its “strong objection” letter, the council claimed the need for the units had “not been demonstrated”, while it also rubbished claims by Mr Hambleton’s agents, JMI Planning, that noise concerns were not releagents vant as residents were already used to increased noise from East Midlands Airport and the Donington Park race circuit.
Marble Property Services defended the plan, believing residents and councillors had fuelled misconceptions about the size of the scheme.
Their spokesperson added: “The land in question is a former brickyard and had some possible grazing on it.
“This plan is not for six Amazonstyle sized units with big lorries coming 24/7. These are small units that would be used by a man in a van to store items. People would even come in their car for it.”
JMI Planning insists the units would “address a shortfall” of employment land in the district and boost economic benefits. A decision will be made at a later date.
These are small units that would be used by a man in a van to store items
Marble Property Services