Enderby: Golf course could close to make way for new homes

The council said the developing the site could help it reach new housing targets

Up to 800 homes could be built on a golf course and office park in Leicestershire, a council has said.

Blaby District Council has unveiled proposals for a new community, called Hayes Gardens, on a 141 acre (57 hectare) to the east of Enderby.

It said that Enderby Golf Course, which is primarily council-owned, could be closed to make way for the development.

Most of the proposed development site is owned by Santander UK, the authority added.

The banking firm said it had consolidated buildings on its Carlton Park office complex leaving surplus land for potential housing.

A series of public meetings are planned so people can have their say on the scheme

Council leader Terry Richardson said the authority would be seeking residents' views on the scheme before proposing to include it in its local plan development strategy.

"Working with Santander we see Hayes Gardens as a model sustainable community," he said.

"In addition to providing much needed housing, this development will look to provide more publicly accessible green space and biodiversity.

"Improved pedestrian, cycling and vehicle access routes could also help ease the long-standing congestion issues in Enderby, particularly around Mill Lane."

The council said the scheme was in its early stages but could help it meet its government-set target to find land for 687 home annually up to 2036.

Santander UK's head of property Nick Roberts said: "Since 2021 we have consolidated our office space [at Carlton Park] into one of five office buildings on the Campus, letting three of the buildings to tenants, with one remaining building being marketed to let.

"We want to play our part in supporting the local plan, enabling more housing and contributing to the wider local community in which we operate."

The council said a number of public meeting would be held in May and June so people could learn more about the scheme.