Homes plan for fields on village edge is rejected
INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ALSO REFUSED AS APPEAL IS DISMISSED
ROLLING fields on the edge of Burbage have been protected from development after controversial plans for 140 homes and an industrial development have been thrown out.
More than 160 residents objected to the proposal from Barwood Development Securities for the large housing estate and up to 30,000 sq m of warehousing, between Sketchley Grange Hotel and the A5.
The plans were considered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council in May last year and refused over concerns it would destroy a green corridor and increase traffic pressure on the A5.
The scheme was then taken to appeal but this has now been dismissed, following a nine-day inquiry.
In his report on the decision, inspector John Woolcock said: “The most significant adverse effect weighing against the proposal is the effect on the character and appearance of the area.
“The adverse impacts would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”
Mr Woolcock cited the emerging Burbage Neighbourhood Plan among other local planning frameworks which jarred with the proposals conflicted.
Several parish councillors gave evidence as part of the inquiry, highlighting the harm they feared the development would cause to Burbage and its residents.
Parish councillor Maureen Lynch said: “The preparation of the evidence of the harms this development would deliver was a tremendous team effort between parish councillors and all five borough councillors who contributed to capturing the relevant points for the inquiry.
“Parish councillors are relieved that the planning appeal has been dismissed.”
Documents filed with the original application said the 37-acre development would have created more than 500 jobs.
An appeal was recently rejected for a scheme for a large solar farm near Bosworth Battlefield, over concerns it would have a “significant adverse impact” on the character of the area.
The inspector said in their report that the 153-acre energy complex would spoil views from the battlefield.
The 35MW power complex would have been capable of generating electricity for more than 10,000 homes a year. It would have been in place for 30 years and would have offset 570,000 carbon tonnes throughout its lifetime.