Controversial plans for 180 homes in Great Glen rejected by council
Councillors have rejected plans for 180 new homes on the edge of Great Glen after questioning the development’s impact on highway safety and congestion.
Planning officers recommended the development off London Road for approval, but councillors voted on Tuesday (September 15) not to allow it to go ahead.
David Wilson Homes submitted its application in November 2025 to build up to 180 homes on fields, with the development including open space, play space, land for allotments, car parking, drainage, and utilities connections.
A significant part of the plans was the construction of a new access road off London Road.
In 2017, plans for homes on the site were rejected on heritage grounds.
Similar arguments were made by residents and councillors, who claimed that the ridge and furrow medieval farming fields should be kept as they are.
Anne Ablett said: “Once built over, it’s gone forever. A planning condition cannot bring it back. Landscaping cannot recreate it.
“The applicant’s own consultant describes the site as containing well-preserved ridge and furrow and confirms that development will cause harm through its loss.”
Great Glen Parish Council also spoke to share its position. Julia Fox said: “The village is at breaking point.
“Great Glen should not be expected to absorb development first and wait for the infrastructure and evidence afterwards.”
The committee heard about Leicester Grammar School’s morning traffic affecting London Road and the potential issues adding more homes to the site would have on the already busy route.
Councillors put their questions about the proposals to David Bainbridge, the planning agent for David Wilson Homes.
At the meeting, he said: “There are strong and clear technical grounds as to why the transport assessment is now robust.
“The challenge that we find ourselves in, is that there needs to be a planning balance exercise undertaken.
“We care deeply about Leicestershire. We care deeply about your district as well.”
More than 200 people commented on the proposals, with the majority lodging objections.
Stop The New Town, a campaign group against the development, has welcomed the news after months of vocal opposition to the plans.
They said: “A significant battle has been won in a war against a swathe of housing development across south-east Leicestershire.
“Great Glen is currently experiencing a barrage of planned development with amongst others, plans for the building of 4000 homes in a Strategic Development Area (Land South of the Gartree Road) between the village and Oadby.”
New guidance means the councils now have to tell the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, about the rejection decision.
Planning applications with more than 150 homes are required to be referred to the minister, who may decide to override the initial decision.
Seven councillors voted in favour of the refusal, which was met with applause and hugs between campaigners.