The second attempt to build dozens of houses in a small village

A developer hopes to build 155 homes on land in a small Leicestershire village. Gladman Developments Ltd is making a second application for permission to develop land off Oak Road in Littlethorpe, near Narborough Station.

A previous planning application was refused by Blaby District Council’s planning committee in July 2019 following advice from the authority’s planning officers. At the time, the developer wanted to build 108 homes there.

This latest application proposes a mix of 116 market rate homes and 39 “affordable” homes. The development would also include public open spaces, footpaths, play areas and “landscaped” green spaces, according to planning documents.

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The application is for general permission only, meaning Gladman Developments is seeking approval for the scheme in principle, with more specific details to be determined in a subsequent application. Therefore, the final layout and size of the houses are still to be determined. However, the documents suggest that they would be no higher than 2.5 stories.

A new road and cycle track would also be created, linking the development to Oak Road. Pedestrian access would be from Chestnut Close and Beechwood Road.

The applicant stated that it carried out a public consultation before submitting its application and received 61 responses. Among the issues raised is the potential impact on traffic in the area. However, the developer said its transport assessment, carried out as part of its submission to the council, concluded the proposed homes “will have no adverse impact on the transport network around the site”.

Residents also said there is currently a problem with commuters leaving their cars in the area and walking to the station. They said they feared the development could make it worse.

However, the applicant said: “This is an existing problem and a matter outside the applicant’s control. The transport assessment found that the local road network has the capacity to accommodate the traffic generated by the proposed development.” Parking provision for the new homes will be determined as part of a later application, Gladman added.

Other issues raised in the developer’s consultation included access to schools and services, conflicting views on the need for development in the area, the impact on the landscape and wildlife in the area and concerns about potential flooding from the development.

Since the proposal was submitted, there have been 22 objections. The consultation on the plans closes on Monday 29 July, with a decision expected on Thursday 29 August.