‘We don’t want become a town’ - villagers speak out against huge 550 homes and demolition plan in Broughton Astley
Plans for a huge 550-home development in Broughton Astley have been submitted – and residents are far from happy, fearing it will severely impact their village.
IM Land has submitted the screening application for land at Frolesworth Road to officials at Harborough District Council (HDC) in what is the first stage of the development’s process.
The plan has been suggested by the developer for its ‘screening opinion’ document. This asks HDC whether the scheme would need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for an outline planning application – which would seek for approval of the application in principle. An EIA would assess the effects of the proposal on the environment.
This first stage, while not an official application, does put forward the possibility of up to 550 homes for the site. A potential primary school expansion and new community facility are also touted.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) went out to speak to villagers living in the area about the plans. There was a real community spirit feel to the area, with lots of villagers out walking their dogs. Everyone the LDRS spoke to knew about the proposed development, and all were against it.
Glenys Porter, who has lived in the area for a long time, said she had attended a meeting at the village hall to discuss the plans. She said: “We are all for progress but there has to be a point where you have to stop (development). There is no infrastructure to accommodate more homes and more people.
“We are a village and we would like it to stay that way. These proposals take away our dog walks and will also have an effect on wildlife in the area.”
Another villager, Sandie Hollingsworth said she had heard about the plans and is not happy with them. She said the proposals backed onto the cemetery where people go to sit and reflect, but if the houses are built “they’ll just be looking out at houses”.
She added: “It’s a beautiful village, I don’t want it to be a town.”
She was also concerned about flooding in the area, saying: “Frolesworth Road floods and it is a worry every year. Six Acres (which runs off Frolesworth Road) was completely cut off during the last floods.”
69-year-old resident Mr Cole said he was “not in favour” of the plans. He said: “Most people don’t approve of them. The surgery can’t cope as it is and it will affect other services like schools. Traffic would also be affected.”
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “My children go to Orchard Primary School which is a nice rural school overlooking the fields that would be built on. Plus an increase in services would have an impact on infrastructure like the doctors surgery.
“I’ve lived in Broughton Astley for 11 years and Sapcote when I was growing up. I like being surrounded by countryside. This is already a large village.”
In documents submitted to HDC, the application says the site is made up of 43.41 hectares of farm land. Traditional farm buildings on the site make up Glebe Farm.
The east of the site is bordered by Frolesworth Road and Frolesworth Road cemetery is adjacent to the southernmost point of the site. More farmland lies to the south and west of the site.
Alongside the up to 550 homes, IM Land’s proposal includes land for the “potential expansion” of Orchard CofE School, a potential cemetery parking area for Frolesworth Road Cemetery and a possible community facility.
Access to the development will be created from Frolesworth Road. There is no date given as to when a decision will be made on the plans.