MP urges Government to urgently review plans for 3,000 homes near Lutterworth after residents overwhelmingly oppose it

South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa is urging the Government to urgently review the massive £1 billion Lutterworth East housing scheme to build almost 3,000 homes.

The worried Conservative MP’s formally asking Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, to “call in” the “flawed plans” for the huge controversial development.

But Cllr Nick Rushton, the leader of Leicestershire County Council, which is behind the blueprint, has today hit back – saying calling it in would delay the delivery of much-needed new houses.

The project, which could take 20-30 years to finish, was narrowly backed by Harborough District Council’s planning committee in July.

Mr Costa is acting after he issued a survey on the development to residents in Lutterworth, Bitteswell, Cotesbach, Gilmorton, Kimcote, Walton, Shawell, Walcote and Misterton.

He said he received an “enormous response” from over 2,000 households – and 80 per cent of people are totally opposed to it.

Mr Costa said they had quickly returned their answers over the last two weeks to express strong views on the project.

Of 2,183 surveys returned, a “whopping” 97 per cent of people said they backed the MP asking the Government to ‘call-in’ the initiative.

An overwhelming 95 per cent of local people are opposed to a new warehousing park at the commercial site end.

A decisive 75 per cent of households said the proposed ‘spine road’, the road running right through the new development, should be built much closer to the M1 motorway.

“Most revealing of all is that a mammoth 80 per cent of respondents are completely opposed to the development in the first place.

“My constituents come first.

“Developers must listen to the views of ordinary residents who will have to live with the negative impacts of a flawed design.

“My constituents are right to express their concerns,” said Alberto.

“Too many developers these days think they can ride roughshod over residents by ignoring their concerns.

“By issuing this major survey the people of Lutterworth and the surrounding villages have been given an opportunity to have their voices heard over the future of this development.

“As a proud constituency-based MP, I live in the area and understand the feelings that people have about over-development.

“What my constituents experience, so do I and my family.

“It’s important that residents know their MP is championing their concerns.

“The people of Lutterworth and the nearby villages have spoken loud and clear,” insisted Alberto.

“I will do all I can to ensure that the Secretary of State takes their views into account when giving this application the necessary scrutiny it deserves.

“I am most grateful to the huge number of constituents who took the time to respond to my survey and to have their voices heard.

“I have always said that I would support, in principle, this project if the developer listened to my constituents.

“The plans have been touted as an exemplary flagship development.

“How can building yet another warehousing park next to Lutterworth and lots of housing next to big electrical pylons be considered exemplary?

“I will of course monitor the Secretary of State’s decision in this case very closely - and do everything I can to ensure that my constituents’ views are fully listened to and taken on board,” said Alberto.

But angry Cllr Nick Rushton, who leads the Conservative-ruled county council, has now written to Robert Jenrick following the MP’s startling intervention.

He has fired off a letter after the scheme to create 2,750 homes, community facilities and business space near Lutterworth was approved by Harborough council in July.

“The letter states that the proposal is fully in line with Harborough’s local plan and includes a compliant amount of affordable housing.

“It recognises that some residents have concerns but adds that these have already been scrutinised in public by a planning inspector through the relatively recent local plan process.

“And then through the planning application process, resulting in a recommendation that the scheme be approved by Harborough District Council’s planners and a democratic decision by the Planning Committee,” said the county council.

Cllr Rushton said: “It is understandable that as the local MP, Mr Costa thinks it is necessary to ask local residents for their views, but it is disingenuous if it raises expectations that development at Lutterworth East will not take place.

“Lutterworth East is vital to Harborough District Council’s local plan, to deliver much-needed investment, housing and infrastructure to this part of South Leicestershire.”

He added: “Housing demand won’t go away.

“This will only delay a project which has been approved by a Government inspector and has received planning approval from the local planning authority - at which Mr Costa spoke in favour.”

The scheme features:

• Over 50 per cent green space – including Swift Valley Community Park, playing fields, allotments, woodland, trees and hedgerows and new ecological habitats

• Foot and cycle paths – connecting with Lutterworth town centre, boosting walking and cycling

• Nearly 60 acres of retail and business space - creating 2,500 jobs

• Two new primary schools - and funding for extra secondary school places

• Roads and transport - improvements to main roads and M1 to boost capacity, a new M1 bridge, a new spine road to reduce town centre traffic plus new bus routes

• A community hub – that could accommodate shops, restaurants, cafes, health centre and community hall

• Ultra-fast broadband at each property.

“No indication has been given as to when the Secretary of State will make a decision on the call in request,” said the council.