115-home development at Land To The West Of Springwell Lane, Whetstone

What was proposed

The application proposed 115 dwellings, access, public open space and associated infrastructure, including market and affordable homes, a play area and drainage features.

“The proposals will include a mix of market and affordable dwellings. 88 are to be market and 29 are to be affordable dwellings with a mix of social rent and shared ownership options. The mix provides a range of 1-5 bedrooms across the market mix and 1-4 bedrooms across the affordable mix. 10 bungalows are proposed across the scheme split between market and affordable homes, with the rest proposed as 2 storey dwellings.”

“A Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) is proposed to the centre of the site adjacent to the retained hedgerow, across from plots 90-84. Beyond the built- up limits of the development, and to the west of the retained hedge that runs north to south of the site a large area of open space is proposed. The space proposes both formal and informal footpaths and is to connect to the wider development. Adjacent to the space a noise attenuation bund is proposed.”

Officer report

The site and its surroundings

The site is agricultural land on Whetstone’s southern edge, beside Springwell Lane and the M1, with hedgerows, trees, farm buildings and nearby homes and employment uses.

“The site 1.1 The application site is situated at the southern edge of Whetstone within designated countryside and covers approximately 9.12 hectares (22.5 acres) of agricultural land. The site is located to the west of Springwell Lane and existing residential development to the north with employment uses bordering the site to the north west. In addition, the M1 Motorway runs along the western boundary of the site north to south.”

“The site is currently enclosed by mature hedgerow that runs along the east boundary of the site adjacent to Springwell Lane. A line of mature trees are located to the north of the site, which currently separate the site from the employment uses to the north west and the western boundary remains largely open with little vegetation. The southern boundary of the site is currently enclosed by a hedgerow that runs east to west through the field.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier decisions covered environmental impact screening and prior approval for demolishing three buildings on the site.

“Reference Description Decision Date 25/05/EIASCR Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Opinion for the proposed residential development (Class C3) of 116 dwellings EIA not required 15.08.2025 25/1107/DEM Prior approval for the demolition of a 3no. buildings Prior approval given 23.01.2026”

“An EIA Screening Request was made under Regulation 6 of the Town and Country Planning (Environment Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, to determine whether the proposals comprised EIA development and the requirement of an Environmental Statement. This submission was made with the submission of the application (LPA Reference 25/05/EIASCR).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a Section 106 agreement and conditions, finding that the benefits outweighed the identified harms.

“Proposal: Residential development of 115no. dwellings, with access, public open space and associated infrastructure…”

“Site address: Land to the West of Springwell Lane, Whetstone Case officer: Clementyne Murphy-Nelson – Development Services Team Leader Recommendation: Approve subject to the applicant entering into a section 106 agreement to secure the following; S106 Contributions: Provision of 25% affordable housing 2. SEND education contribution (primary and secondary) 3. Early Years Education 4. Health care facilities contribution 5. Libraries 6. Leicestershire County Council waste 7.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered housing need, landscape, design, highways, drainage, open space, infrastructure, residential amenity, environmental matters and biodiversity.

“Consideration of Application The main issues to be considered in the assessment of this planning application are as follows:”

“The principle of the development • Landscape and visual impact • Affordable housing and housing mix • Design and layout • Transport and highway impacts • Flood risk and drainage • On-site public open space provision • Developer contributions and infrastructure / facilities • Residential amenities • Environmental implications • Ecology and biodiversity • Archaeology • Arboricultural implications • Loss of agricultural land…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Most consultees raised no objections, while some requested conditions or contributions; ecology comments were outstanding when the report was published.

“The numbers in brackets signifies the amount of times consultees have responded to the application and what paragraph these comments have been considered in this report. Blaby District Council Consultees 4.1.1 Blaby District Council Environmental Services (4) (7.4.10) No objections subject to conditions 4.1.2 Blaby District Council Housing Strategy (2) (7.3.6) No objections and made comments in support of the application…”

“Leicestershire County Council Ecology (3) (7.11) Outstanding comments at the time of publishing this report – members to be updated prior to committee with full comments and any subsequent conditions.”

Officer report

Public speakers

An objector and the agent each gave a five-minute presentation to the committee.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to a Section 106 agreement securing contributions and 38 planning conditions.

“That application is approved subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 agreement to secure the following;”

“Statutory 3-year condition. Development to be built in accordance with approved plans and documents. Development to be built in accordance with materials as shown on approved plan. Finished site and floor levels to be submitted and agreed and adhered to prior to construction. Approved landscaping scheme to be carried out and maintained. 6.”

Minutes