200-home development at Land South Of Bosworth Lane, Newbold Verdon

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for up to 200 homes, a small shop, school playing fields and sports pitches, landscaping, open space and infrastructure.

“Proposal: Outline planning permission for up to 200 dwellings, a shop (Use Class E(a)) of up to 108 sqm gross external area and provision of up to 0.5 hectares of school playing fields and sport pitches, together with landscaping, open space, infrastructure and other associated works (All matters reserved except for access)”

“Planning Application Description 2.1. This planning application seeks outline planning permission for the provision of up to 200 dwellings, a shop (Use Class E(a) of up to 108 sqm gross external area, provision of up to 0.5 hectares of school playing fields, together with landscaping, open space, infrastructure and other associated works on Land South of Bosworth Lane, Newbold Verdon.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The 8.38-hectare agricultural site lies outside but next to Newbold Verdon’s settlement boundary, with housing, a school, countryside and a public footpath nearby.

“Description of the Site and the Surrounding Area 3.1. The application site comprises 8.38 hectares of agricultural land to the north west of Newbold Verdon. The site lies outside of but adjacent to the identified settlement boundary of Newbold Verdon which is a Key Rural Centre.”

“There are no designated heritage assets within the site. However, there are several listed buildings in the vicinity of the site. This includes Grade I listed Newbold Verdon Hall and associated Grade II listed pavilions and the Grade II listed Church of St James which lie approximately 100m and 200m to the southeast of the closest site boundary respectively. Newbold Verdon Conservation Area lies immediately to the east of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning advice

Pre-application advice was given in April 2025 for an outline scheme involving homes, a community health hub and safeguarded education land.

“Pre-application advice request for Outline application (Access only for erection of up to 200 dwellings, a community health hub and safeguarded land for education, together with landscaping, open space, infrastructure and other associated works. • Pre-application advice given • 16.04.2025”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission subject to conditions and a legal agreement, concluding that the housing and other benefits outweighed the identified countryside and heritage harm.

“The development would provide economic and social benefits during construction of the development and through longer term expenditure impacts generated by residents of the scheme each year. Social benefits arise through the provision of housing for a range of occupants and the positive impact on services. Owing to the scale of the development the economic and social benefits attract moderate weight in the planning balance.”

“Less than substantial harm is identified to a number of heritage assets. However, as required by policy this heritage harm is considered to be outweighed by the benefits of the development.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application and asked the committee to consider tree preservation orders for trees proposed for retention.

What members considered

The committee considered the request for a tree assessment and possible preservation orders for retained trees before resolving the application.

“Whilst in support of the application, it was requested that consideration be given to applying tree preservation orders to those trees outlined for retention. It was moved by Councillor Bools, seconded by Councillor Allen and…”

“(iii) A tree assessment be undertaken and consideration be given to applying tree preservation orders to trees to be retained.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Permission was granted subject to the conditions, late items and a section 106 agreement, with authority delegated to finalise conditions and obligations.

“(ii) The Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration be granted authority to determine the final detail of planning conditions and obligations;”

Minutes