Residents in Great Bowden have criticised the latest proposals for a housing scheme, claiming homes would be an ‘unwelcome invasion of privacy’.

R2 Developments is hoping to gain approval for 11 homes, including two affordable bungalows, on land north of Dingley Road.

The decision is due to be made at Harborough District Council’s (HDC) planning committee next week. Despite the opposition, officers have recommended that the plans be approved.

Eleven residents have put in objections to the plans prompting the leader of HDC, councillor Phil Knowles to call in the decision. This means the planning application, which would normally be decided by planning officers, is brought to the planning committee for a public debate and vote.

The plans submitted to the planning committee. The bottom images show the view into site looking towards No.25 and No.23 Dingley Road and part of northern boundary.

placeholder image — The plans submitted to the planning committee. The bottom images show the view into site looking towards No.25 and No.23 Dingley Road and part of northern boundary.

Planning officers describe the site as a single field, to the east of a fairly new development of four detached homes. Grade I and Grade II listed buildings populate the area.

Documents note that four planning applications for homes on land to the south-west of the site have been refused or withdrawn between 2016 to 2025. An appeal is pending on the latest application for three self-build homes.

The application was originally for 10 homes, but was later updated in September 2025 to 11.

Among the objections, one resident said properties within the development would be “on top of each other”. While another said: “The proposed plots are so tightly packed into a small area.

“The proximity to number 23 and 25 is so close as to be encroaching and invading the privacy of these homes. 19 and 21 are also impacted as they have bedroom windows directly facing onto the proposed properties, an unwelcome invasion of privacy.”

A third said: “This [development] results in overbearing impact, overshadowing, and significant loss of privacy.”

Objectors also voiced concerns about traffic speeds in the area, flooding and drainage, and biodiversity net loss if the plans go ahead.

HDC planning committee will meet on Tuesday, February 10 to make a decision on the application. In putting forward their recommendation to approve the plans, officers said the provision of 11 homes in an accessible location is positive and would support the objective to “significantly boost the supply of homes”.

In addition, officers said there would be “some limited and localised harm to the character and appearance of the area as well as causing harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset”.

On balance, officers said the conflict with the development plan, “would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the proposal”.