Developers ‘try to sneak through 176-homes plan that was already refused’
VILLAGERS SET TO OBJECT AGAIN
DEVELOPERS have been branded “sneaky” for resubmitting an application for 176 homes on the outskirts of a village.
Councillors refused the plans at a heated meeting last month but weeks later, Gladman Developments has resubmitted the application to build on land off Cunnery Close, Barlestone.
Furious residents are now preparing to object to the development again.
One villager said: “I think they are sneaky – they are trying to sneak it through.
“There were 108 letters sent in to the council last time.
“I think they’re banking on people thinking they’ve already objected once and don’t need to again.
“Then they can turn around and say residents aren’t bothered and it will go through.”
Another who lives in Cunnery Close, said: “We’re not naive enough to think someone wouldn’t want to build on those fields one day. It’s not that. People need somewhere to live, we know that.
“The problem is the access. There will be more than 300 cars, at least twice a day going out or coming back via an entry road at the end of a cul-desac. It’s just not safe.
“None of the roads leading there are classified and the junction will be a nightmare.
“Highways guidelines say that developments with more than 150 homes need more than one access route yet the county council says it has no objections.”
Councillors refused the development, arguing negative impact on the character of the area as one of the reasons. They also said it would be detrimental to highway safety. The resident said: “As far as I can see this is exactly the same application as before. I don’t know how they’ve got the nerve.
“The council can refuse again but the likelihood is that Gladman will go to appeal – they always do.
“It seemed as though the planning officers were in favour of the whole thing last time so I don’t know what will happen. We’re in limbo until the meeting, really.”
As with the previous plans, the current application predominantly focuses on access and outline plans for open space within the development.
There is no breakdown of what the housing mix would look like but the developer said 40 per cent of the homes would be “affordable”.
The design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: “The overall vision for the site is to provide a distinctive and high-quality place, which complements the qualities and character of Barlestone.
“The development will create up to 176 dwellings with a range of housing to meet the needs of the area, while respecting and enhancing the site’s environmental assets.
“Housing will be set within a robust network of green infrastructure, which will help to integrate development within the landscape and create a distinctive sense of place.”
Leicestershire County Council, as the highways authority, has submitted its response.
It said: “The impacts of the development on highway safety would not be unacceptable, and when considered cumulatively with other developments, the impacts on the road network would not be severe.”