Villagers speak out on farm shop plans
RESIDENTS in a Lutterworth area village have spoken out against plans to build a farm shop and potential 34-home estate on the outskirts of the settlement.
Applicant RD Assets Ltd submitted the plans, for Frolesworth Road in Leire, last month.
If the scheme gets the nod, it would see the creation of the farm shop, which would be run, according to the plans, by businessman Matthew Gilliver, who also owns a garden centre in Hinckley.
However, the planning documents also mention the potential for a future application for a ‘modest, low-density’ development of 34 homes, which would be necessary to generate capital to fund the farm shop venture.
The plans have already attracted a large number of responses from villagers in Leire, who are almost overwhelmingly against the scheme.
By midday on Tuesday this week 39 residents had submitted online comments to the district council, all of them objecting to the plans.
Among them, Mark Hopkins, from St Peter’s Close, said: “I understand that the land is outside of the development envelope of the village and in the greenbelt. This should be strenuously resisted.”
Colin Rees, from Oak Avenue, added: “In the past we have had shops and businesses in the village that have ceased trading because of lack of local support.
“The post office in Leire was up for sale for four years with no takers and as a result the current owner is changing the use to residential.”
Mr Rees also said that the scheme would increase the size of the village by 12 per cent.
In the planning documents, RD Assets said they believed the shop would enhance the village.
They add: “In limited local consultations that have taken place the reception from villagers has in general been very favourable.
“We would envisage a successful business which would be an asset to the area along with offering local products and local employment.”
To see the full plans online, follow the relevant links at www.harborough.gov.uk and use reference 12/01323/FUL.
The consultation period for the application is due to end today (Thursday).
Harborough District Council has not yet set a date to consider the scheme.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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