Residents 'utterly against' 400-home development

A councillor has said he is prepared to fight "tooth and nail" against plans to build hundreds of homes opposite a school in Leicestershire.

Barratt Redrow announced plans to create a 400-home development off Meadow Lane in Whitwick, near Coalville, opposite The Castle Rock School.

Michael Wyatt, deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said residents are "completely and utterly against" the plans.

Kate Pryor, planning manager at Barratt Redrow, said the company had "worked hard" to identify community benefits that could be delivered alongside the new homes.

According to consultation documents, the 22.7-hectare (56-acre) site was previously included in the council's Local Plan, but was later removed due to concerns about traffic congestion, environmental impact, loss of green space, and flooding risks.

As part of the plans, a new road linking Meadow Lane and Leicester Road could be built as well as a drop-off point for the school.

Wyatt told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the council "didn't need" the homes to meet its Local Plan and was looking to actively fight against the development.

He added: "The local residents made it perfectly clear that they are completely and utterly against it.

"Residents don't want this. There's no need for it in this area.

"I will fight tooth and nail. The wildlife will be devastated."

An online petition, which was set up in opposition to the homes, has received more than 400 signatures, he added.

Joseph Boam, Leicestershire county councillor for Whitwick, has also spoken out against the plans.

"I share the concerns being raised about the impact that development on this scale could have on Whitwick, particularly our already stretched roads and infrastructure, as well as the countryside, wildlife and biodiversity around the site," he said.

Barratt Redrow has said the new homes would be in a "gas-free, low carbon neighbourhood" with a proportion of them being affordable homes.

It also proposes creating large areas of public open space and biodiversity areas, providing a green buffer to the nearby Coalville Meadows, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Pryor said: "The site at Meadow Lane represents a sustainable opportunity to contribute to North West Leicestershire's housing requirements, and this has been acknowledged in the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan.

"We are keen to hear from local people about their aspirations and priorities for new homes and community facilities in Whitwick."

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