93-homes plan to be considered again, by a different authority

IT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY ANOTHER

A controversial scheme to build 93 homes to the north of Markfield, which has just been approved, is to be considered again - by another council.

Outline permission was granted by Charnwood Borough Council earlier this month for the bulk of the development, on pastureland between Ashby Road and the A50.

But the southern part of the site, including the proposed access off Ashby Road, is within Hinckley and Bosworth borough, so separate permission is needed for this section.

The housing estate would include 40 per cent “affordable” homes and more than 200 car parking spaces.

A traffic assessment filed with the application claims that the development would only “marginally increase” delays and queueing on roads in the area.

Markfield is included in Hinckley and Bosworth, and some residents of the village have raised concerns that Charnwood has been given the decision on most of the development, even though the new residents will be using services within their area.

One, Spencer Dyer, said: “I think this sets a really dangerous precedent that would allow any local authority to pass planning permission that is set partly in another local authority area.

“They know the impact it will cause on those communities and still made this perverse decision.”

A scheme for 282 homes on fields to the south of London Road was approved in April.

Residents previously raised concerns, when the proposal was mooted, about the additional traffic and pollution.

Mr Dyer said: “The impact on this community would be very severe, with the already agreed 290 homes development in the village - as voted for in the Markfield [neighbourhood] plan. The plan was well structured and fair to the needs of the community and the future housing needs set out by the government.

“The land off Ashby Road is an area of open green space in an unspoilt area of the Charnwood Forest and while this field is actually in Charnwood borough (Ashby Road is the borderline), it is intrinsically in and part of Markfield village - and therefore has a significant impact upon the services and infrastructure of the village.”

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council faces a similar issue with a much larger development proposed along its south- western border, along the A5.

Plans were filed earlier this year for an 150acre logistics hub, near Dodwells island roundabout.

Most of the development, where the warehouses will be built, is within Rugby borough, but permission is also needed from Hinckley and Bosworth,

for the proposed access, via a new junction on the A5. Permission is also needed from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, for landscaping to the north of the site. Hinckley and Bosworth recently approved plans for a 24-hour services and petrol station, on the A5, again with most of the site in Rugby borough. Councillors have raised concerns that any extra traffic on the A5 is most likely to affect Hinckley.

I think this sets a really dangerous precedent... to pass permission that is set partly in another local authority area