Second bid to build 80 houses in Burbage refused – Leicestershire …
A developer’s second attempt to secure permission to build 80 homes in Burbage has been refused. Members of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council[1]‘s planning committee rejected Redrow Homes’ request to build the homes at a meeting on Tuesday (August 22), despite the authority’s planning officers[2] recommendation that the scheme should be approved.
It comes after a similar application[3] by Redrow was also refused by the committee in August last year. Members said then that they thought the proposed estate would have a “significant adverse impact” on the countryside and cause road safety issues.
The homes would have sat to the south west of Lutterworth Road, on land adjacent to the existing Redrow Homes’ Ambion Way development. Speaking on behalf of the applicant at the meting on Tuesday, Myles Wild-Smith said the application had been resubmitted because the council’s officers had “consistently and clearly accepted the development” in that location.
He added: “This is the second time this application has been brought to this committee with the recommendation for approval. The council’s officers have consistently recommended this application[5] for approval and concluded that it would accord with the council’s development plan. Importantly there are no objections from consultees, including highways, flooding and environmental.” Planning documents[6] state 20 per cent of the proposed houses would have been ‘affordable’, meaning 16 homes would have been made available for people with incomes below the national average.
However, councillors on the committee refused the application unanimously. Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Fleming[7], who represents Burbage Sketchley and Stretton, said of latest request for permission: “I’m not happy with this again. There is nothing new as far as I can see in this new application. I see no reason why we should approve this application, it comes with nothing new. There is no requirement for these houses in Burbage.”
The applicant has the ability to appeal the decision to the Secretary of State. The applicant can apply for[8] an ‘award of costs’ if they think the council has cost them money by “behaving unreasonably”. The council can also seek to claims costs, according to the government.
References
- ^ Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ the authority’s planning officers (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ similar application (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Flats plan for historic Wigston knitting factory (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ this application (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Planning documents (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Councillor Richard Fleming (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ The applicant can apply for (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)