‘A thousand more people will totally overload the village’: Kibworth residents raise concerns about plans for 580 extra homes

Proposals have been put forward by Manor Oak Homes for land west of Warwick Road.

The developer has applied to Harborough District Council (HDC) for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the plan, which has prompted several objections.

One objector to the plans said: “The area is unable to cope with the extra people, all the facilities are working flat out, a thousand more people will totally overload the village. Infrastructure for motorists and subsequent traffic fumes, will have a serious impact.”

While another said: “Please no. I already live on the neighbouring estate and the traffic is already an issue as it is. It is almost impossible to get a medical appointment currently and this will worsen with the building of yet another estate. The local primary school is at capacity/over capacity.”

Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council has also written in objection to the plans. It expressed concerns about the scope of the EIA, saying it did not cover the “major traffic problems that this 580-house development will need to cope with”.

It added: “Examples include a lack of proposals to improve the junction of Warwick and Fleckney Roads, a lack of how to manage queuing traffic for the traffic lights over the railway bridge, no mention of a safe crossing over Warwick Road for pedestrians accessing schools, shopping centre, etc.”

Not everyone objects to the development though.

Writing in support of the plans, one resident said they had lived in Kibworth Beauchamp for 25 years, had grown up in the village and had “strong personal ties” with the community.

They said: “As a young person, it is incredibly important to me to be able to remain in the place I call home rather than being forced to move elsewhere due to a lack of suitable and attainable housing”.

They acknowledged the concerns raised, particularly with regard to traffic level and local infrastructure, and said: “These are valid considerations and I agree that they must be properly addressed, funded, and planned for alongside any new housing.

“However, these challenges should be viewed as issues to be managed and improved, not as reasons to prevent development altogether, especially when there is a clear and growing need for homes.”

Plans note the site is 33 hectares in size, made up of three agricultural fields with two small seasonal ponds. Access to the site is currently via Warwick Road and Wistow Road.

A recently constructed residential development lies to the southeast of the site, with existing residential properties on the south and southeast too.

Documents note an outline plan – seeking agreement for the development in principle – will be submitted by the applicant following the EIA process for approximately 580 homes including affordable housing, public open space, sustainable urban drainage system and associated infrastructure, with vehicle access via two points provided on Warwick Road.

Plans note a previous application, submitted in 2018 for 400 homes, a new primary school and associated access, car parking, open space and landscape works was refused due to the development being contrary to planning policy at that time.

Consultation on the EIA runs until Friday, February 13.