Woodthorpe: Anger over plans to make hamlet six times bigger

There are currently just 23 houses in Woodthorpe

A developer is pressing ahead with plans to increase the number of homes in a tiny hamlet by more than 600%.

A planning inspector has already granted outline permission for 120 new homes at Woodthorpe, near Loughborough.

Detailed plans for the homes have now been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council.

Residents have already objected and a ward councillor has called the designs "uninspiring and unsuitable".

The hamlet currently has 22 homes and the latest planning application proposes to build 120 homes ranging in size from two bedrooms to six bedrooms.

One resident said: "How is the traffic island going to cope with at least another 240 cars coming out of Woodthorpe? There are only about 30 cars in total down here now."

Another added: "I also think it's disgusting that not one of the people that already live on this road want this to go ahead but it will do anyway.

"This is going to make all of our lives worse. Not better in any way whatsoever."

Woodthorpe is a hamlet on the edge of Loughborough

Ward councillor Anne Grey, who previously called the village 'the last hamlet in Charnwood', has also written to the council's planning team to say she is concerned.

"Aesthetically, the whole design, as shown in the plans, is completely uninspiring and unsuitable for housing next to a heritage railway and a unique Charnwood hamlet," she wrote.

Woodthorpe Residents' Association has said it would welcome the opportunity to discuss how to "protect the hamlet and to reach a mutually acceptable outcome" with developer, Parker Strategic Land.

Plans for the scheme were lodged originally in March 2021 and attracted 40 objection letters from residents.

Charnwood Borough Council then failed to make a decision within the Government-mandated timeframe, so the developer appealed and was granted outline planning permission by an inspector.

Council planning committee members then said in May 2022 they would have approved the application if the appeal had not been lodged.

Planning documents submitted as part of the latest application read: "Land off Main Street, Woodthorpe will be a highly desirable place to live for the 21st Century and beyond.

"The proposals respect the local character but also move the community towards a more sustainable future, through a significant increase in housing choice.

"The aim is to achieve a development with a strong identity and distinct sense of place, whilst at the same time integrating with the existing community."

Comments and objections can be made until Tuesday, December 12.