Village 'extension' of 185 homes set for approval

If approved, the new development will sit east of Willoughy Road

A plan to build more than 180 new homes on the edge of a Leicestershire village is set to be approved.

Developer Davidsons initially wanted to build 205 homes just south of Countesthorpe, off Willoughby Road - submitting its initial proposal to Blaby District Council in January.

But the plan was deferred due to its high density and in October, was amended to 185 houses, according to council documents.

On Thursday, the authority's planning committee is set to approve the latest plan, under a number of conditions.

As well as contributions to local education, travel and other amenities to help mitigate the impact of the new development, Davidsons - which characterised its plan as an "extension" of the village - would have to commit to making 25% of the new homes affordable housing.

The plan received 623 public responses of which 612 objected to the new homes, six were "neutral" and four supported the application, according to the council.

Those against the plan raised concerns about the "loss of village identity", the impact on local services, traffic issues and flooding.

Respondents who supported the plan said Countesthorpe was currently "unaffordable" and the development would "enable people to stay in the village", council documents said.

Blaby District Council's final planning committee meeting of the year will take place on Thursday.