'We should use this open space for our children to play on, not for houses' - councillors 'freeze' plans for 72 homes in Lutterworth

A Harborough District Council scheme to build 72 homes in Lutterworth has been sent back to the drawing board – by its own councillors.
A Harborough District Council scheme to build 72 homes in Lutterworth has been sent back to the drawing board.A Harborough District Council scheme to build 72 homes in Lutterworth has been sent back to the drawing board.
A Harborough District Council scheme to build 72 homes in Lutterworth has been sent back to the drawing board.

The authority wants to create the mini-estate on a former allotments site in De Verdon Road, off Coventry Road.

But the move to build a mix of two, three and four-bed properties, including 29 “affordable” houses, was put on ice at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday night (Jan 14).

Cllr Janette Ackerley, who represents Lutterworth East, told members: “This land was allotments and is now open space – so I’m disappointed about this.

“It would be good to keep it as open space – and maybe use it to provide more sports pitches in the town.”

Cllr Sindy Modha, of Billesdon and Tilton, said: “We have sufficient housing in this area.

“It would be nice to hold on to the open space.

“Everything will end up being built on.

“This is a public open space – we could make something of it.”

The Conservative councillor added: “Maybe we could see more open space here where children could play.

“This scheme isn’t required in my opinion.”

Cllr Simon Galton, of Thurnby and Houghton, also opposed the council’s blueprint as it stands and proposed it should be amended.

The Liberal Democrat said: “I’d like to see a reduction in the number of dwellings on the site.”

Cllr Galton also demanded more open space to be provided and his call for a more environmentally-friendly project was overwhelmingly backed.