Plans for a ‘New Lubbesthorpe’ have been given the cold shoulder by the County Council’s Development Control and Regulatory Board.
The planning application for development of the 394 hectare site, including 4,250 dwellings, is under consideration by Blaby District Council. Only the district council can give planning permission.
The first phase of public consultations ended last month and at that time more than 1,400 people have had voiced their opinions on plans for the ‘New Lubbesthorpe’ – with the vast majority being objections.
The Leicester Mercury (Tuesday June 7th) reported that E-mails, letters and online comments had been sent to Blaby District Council about plans for the development on countryside at Lubbesthorpe, between Leicester Forest East and Enderby.
Leicestershire County Council had been asked to comment on the application and an officer report was considered by the Board on Thursday 21-07-11 .
Commenting on the proposals, David Parsons CBE,CountyCouncillor for Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forest East said:
Cllr David Parsons
“I welcome the fact that members of Leicestershire’s County Council’s Development Control and Regulatory Board have today (Thursday 21 July) identified a significant number of question marks over the plan to build a huge housing development at New Lubbesthorpe.
“I cannot see how Blaby District Council can now consider giving this ill-conceived project the go ahead in the face of the doubts of experts, councillors and residents from across the area.
“I call again on the district council to reject the application and to consider whether such monster developments are really the best things for the area.
“Everyone should remember that we are talking about 4,250 houses, a new business site, two new motorway crossings – and the need to make significant improvements to the transport network. This is a new town half the size of Market Harborough, in all but name.
“Whilst accepting that there is a demand for new housing in the Blaby district, I am not convinced that this site is appropriate. Experts have identified issues with the current plan in terms of transport and infrastructure, the environment and air quality, heritage and green space protection, as well as the risk of flooding, drainage and the impact upon water courses.
“This is an ill-thought through, flimsy plan that fails to pass many key tests. It has to be stopped.”
Plans for a ‘New Lubbesthorpe’ have been given the cold shoulder by the County Council’s Development Control and Regulatory Board.