Plans for thousands of homes in Lutterworth could be reviewed as MP raises concerns

The MP for Lutterworth has asked for plans for thousands of new homes in the town to be reviewed - and wants residents to have their say on the proposals.

Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, has issued a survey to almost 5,500 households in Lutterworth and the surrounding villages asking for their views on the new Lutterworth East development.

And he also wants the planning application to be ‘called in’ to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Mr Costa spoke in favour of the development’s approval at a meeting of the Harborough District Council Planning Committee on July 28.

However, he reiterated his long standing concerns over the development, namely the position of the proposed spine road, the proximity of electricity pylons to new homes and the plans for a logistics park on the site.

During the meeting, Mr Costa stated that he reserved the right to ‘call in’ the application, and ask that the Minister review the plans, should these concerns not be addressed.

As a result, Mr Costa is now seeking resident’s views on these areas of concern and the wider decision to approve the development in July.

The survey has been sent to all 5,415 households registered on the electoral roll in Lutterworth and the nearby villages of Bitteswell, Cotesbach, Gilmorton, Kimcote, Walton, Shawell, Walcote and Misterton.

Residents will have two weeks (October 5) to return their completed surveys to Mr Costa’s Blaby Constituency Office via the freepost service.

Mr Costa said: “While I support the plans to build more much-needed homes in Lutterworth, I do have grave concerns over certain aspects of the planning application for the Lutterworth East development.

"With a proposal for 2,750 homes, Lutterworth East represents a once-in-a-generation type development, and therefore it is crucially important that my constituent’s concerns are listened to and considered.

"The spine road for the development has long been an issue of some consternation for residents, and again it is imperative that the correct route for traffic entering and leaving the development is properly located to work for everyone.

"Likewise, the proposals to build huge residential plots near to high voltage lines do not seem appropriate, and nor do plans for more logistics areas on a development close to Europe’s largest logistics park at Magna Park.

"These are concerns that I have raised consistently over the past few years, and more recently at the meeting of the Harborough District Planning Committee in July.

"Unfortunately, the views of my constituents and myself have not been heeded, and therefore I am seeking the views of local residents, of those who will be most affected by these plans, to guide my future actions which include asking that this application be called in to the responsible Secretary of State for review”.

Mr Costa added: “Given the sheer size and scale of the proposal in question, it is only right that my constituents are properly consulted here and, as such, I would kindly ask that all households who receive a survey from my office please try to complete and return it within the two week window.

"It is important that local people have every option to purchase a new home nearby, however, proposals such as Lutterworth East only offer one opportunity to ensure that the developments works for local people and prospective buyers and so it is crucial that we get this right before works begin in earnest”.