Homes planned next to disused railway in Broughton Astley given green light
A plan for 30 homes in the village of Broughton Astley has been given the green light.
Lagan Homes Limited submitted the plans for the homes on land at the end of Crowfoot Way.
Plans presented to a Harborough District Council (HDC) planning meeting noted that the area forms part of a wider site developed by Lagan Homes for 50 houses known as ‘Broughton Chase’, which are accessed through the existing site.
Planning officers explained at the meeting that the site, next to a dismantled railway, outlined for the 30 homes, originally formed part of the “informal open space and allotments of the 50-home development, with a further area of open space also provided”.
They added the space outlined for the new homes was an “overprovision of open space on the site” which was “not actually used”.
Documents state that the plan for the 50 homes, along with a Scout hall, land for a new pre-school or other school use, provision of allotments and public open space, was approved in August 2016.
A further application, to approve more specific details of the plan, including the design and layout and scale of the 50 homes, was approved in July 2018.
Speaking on behalf of Lagan Homes Ltd, Mr Bradshaw said the proposal would deliver 30 new houses comprising an agreed mix of two, three, four and five-bed homes, including 40 per cent affordable housing “at a time when the district has a recognised shortage of deliverable housing land”.
A mix of detached, semi-detached and terraced properties is planned for the site. All the homes would be two storeys tall.
Mr Bradshaw said: “Being smaller in scale, the development is highly deliverable when compared to much larger schemes. It is a logical and sustainable extension to an existing residential area that has been carefully assessed (by planning officers).
“In terms of highways, although peak-time congestion can be experienced, detailed assessment has shown that the additional traffic associated with the proposal can be accommodated safely and efficiently within the existing highway network.
“The highway authority has carefully reviewed the application and has concluded there would be no unacceptable impacts on highway safety or network performance.
“Drainage and the risk of flooding has generated some concern locally. Again, these concerns have been carefully examined by the Lead Local Flood Authority, and we have worked closely with them during their consideration of the application.
“Following revisions to the drainage strategy, they concluded that the development is acceptable.
“This scheme delivers meaningful public benefits. It provides 30 much-needed homes, of which 12 will be affordable, alongside new landscaping, public open space, biodiversity net gain and the full suite of financial contributions as requested by consultees.
“These are significant benefits that will directly support the local community.”
All nine councillors unanimously approved the application at the HDC planning committee meeting on Tuesday, July 21.