Housing estate given go ahead despite objections

Planning documents said 40% of the proposed homes would be classed as affordable

Unpopular housing plans for a village in Leicestershire have been approved by the narrowest of margins despite hundreds of objections.

More than 320 complaints were made about plans for 115 homes between Markfield Lane and the A50 Leicester Road at Field Head on the edge of Markfield.

At a heated meeting of Charnwood Borough Council's planning committee on Thursday, members voted in favour of the scheme by four votes to three.

Developer Davidsons Developments, had previously proposed building 150 homes on the site, which was revised during the planning process. It said the planned homes were in a "sustainable location".

Councillor David Hyde, who spoke on behalf of the objectors, said the A50 was a "fast, very busy road", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Interruptions

Mr Hyde said: "Field Head contains 189 houses - less than 500 people - with facilities confined to a Chinese takeaway.

"All other facilities are in other parts of the borough. The scale of this development is substantial compared to Field Head, which it will sit in."

Councillor Tim Port, of Newtown Linford Parish Council said documents submitted by Davidsons - along with the consultation process - "largely overlook our parish and its residents", referring mostly instead to neighbouring Markfield.

Chair of the committee, Jane Lennie warned the audience watching from the public gallery on three occasions following interruptions and loud applause.

She threatened to have the gallery cleared before the meeting would continue, the LDRS said.

Steve Lewis Roberts, speaking on behalf of Davidsons Developments, argued the site was "a sustainable location on the edge of Markfield, which has a wide range of services and facilities".

He said Leicestershire County Council's highways team felt the access would be "suitable and safe", and that the scheme "will not have a significant impact" on local roads.