New details emerge for 4,000 homes plan on the edge of the Harborough district

Applicants Urban and Civic and Homes England want to build the properties on farmland south of Gartree Road, Great Stretton.

Consultation documents state that designs are “progressing” for the site, which sits between Oadby and Great Glen, with Gartree Road to the north, the A6 to the south, and the River Sence on the eastern side.

The proposed site is also close to Leicester Airport and the Stretton Circuit go-karting facility, while several heritage assets – including the Grade II listed Church of St Giles, and the Grade II listed Stretton Hall – are also nearby too.

The land covers areas within both Harborough District and Oadby and Wigston Borough councils.

Alongside the 4,000 market and affordable homes, plans include two new primary schools and a secondary school, new community spaces, local centres, new health provision, “improved” walking and cycling routes, and new public parks, play areas, sports pitches and allotments.

A new road is also proposed to link Gartree Road and the A6, alongside an improved cycling infrastructure along the A6 and Gartree Road. Plans are also in place for a new low carbon bus service looping from the development to Leicester city centre.

The consultation document notes that “around half the site” will become accessible green space, “including 225 acres of restored parkland and woodland”, new parks, play spaces, sports pitches, and walking and cycling routes.

Fears have been raised about potential flooding from the scheme, something Urban and Civic and Homes England has acknowledged is a “key concern locally”, with the developer saying its plan creates an “opportunity to improve flood resilience” in the area.

In order to achieve this, they are proposing “natural flood management including wetland creation and floodplain reconnection to help slow and store water.”

The developers also note that their emerging drainage strategy “holds back and stores water via the use of sustainable drainage techniques such as ponds. It then releases the water in a controlled manner to existing watercourses on site at rates which are reduced by at least 20 per cent compared to the current situation.”

The consultation also talks about opening up parts of the Wash Brook and Evington Brook “that are currently hidden underground” and “reshaping them into more natural, winding brooks”.

This, the developers say “will help slow the flow of water, improve its quality, and create better habitats for both people and wildlife”.

You can view and comment on the consultation documents at https://lsgrconsultation.co.uk - the consultation deadline is May 15.

Two drop-in events are also being held on Thursday, May 7. One is at Parklands Leisure Centre reception area, in Washbrook Lane between 11-2pm, and the other is at Oadby Baptist Church on Leicester Rd between 3-7pm.

Earlier drop in sessions were held in April at Great Glen and Stoughton Village Halls.