Countesthorpe: Plans for more than 400 homes on edge of village

An artist impression shows what the Willoughby Road development could look like

Three separate applications have been submitted for housing developments in fields at the edge of a Leicestershire village.

Countesthorpe could have up to 426 homes added to its limits if Blaby District Council approves the plans.

The proposals for 205, 51 and 170 homes have each been put forward by different developers.

The latter application was refused in 2016 due to concerns over the impact of the development.

The 19-acre site off Willoughby Road could become 205 homes

Davidsons Developments is seeking outline permission for up 205 homes across two fields off Willoughby Road, a quarter of which are expected to be "affordable" housing.

The developer is looking at creating a pedestrian link into neighbouring Beechings Close so residents would have a quicker route into the village, with a village green and play area also proposed.

Meanwhile, Catesby Strategic Land has resubmitted its bid for up to 170 homes off Leicester Road, again seeking outline approval, which includes proposals to upgrade the Leicester Road/Foston Road roundabout.

The previous proposal was rejected because of concerns over the loss of countryside, impact on roads and because the scheme was not in line with the authority's local plan, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Catesby appealed the decision, submitting an updated plan to address these issues, which was accepted by the district council, but the appeal was dismissed by the planning inspector overseeing the case, because the scheme went against the council's local plan.

The application has now been resubmitted, with Catesby saying it is "materially unchanged" from the previous appeal, but added the appeal inspector determined its scheme would have a number of benefits locally, including the creation of construction jobs, upgrades to the local road network and the provision of affordable homes and additional housing.

Hampton Oak is seeking full approval to extend the Gillam Butts development into the adjacent field, adding 51 homes to the 40 existing homes north of the site.

The three schemes are not believed to be connected proposals.