Controversial Lutterworth East development to go ahead after minister rejects request for review - The Rugby Observer

Controversial Lutterworth East development to go ahead after minister rejects request for review

Rugby Editorial 12th Feb, 2021   0

THE CONTROVERSIAL Lutterworth East housing development will not be ‘called-in’, the Secretary of State has confirmed.

Last July, Leicestershire County Council’s plans for 2,750 new homes, community facilities and employment space to the east of Lutterworth were approved by Harborough District Council’s (HDC) planning committee.

In September, South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa and Lutterworth Town Council requested the planning application be ‘called-in’ for review by Government.

But on Tuesday (February 9), HDC was informed Housing Minister Robert Jenrick had declined the request.




A letter to the Council from Mr Jenrick’s department read: “The Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.

“In deciding whether to call in this application, the Secretary of State has considered his policy on calling in planning applications. This policy gives examples of the types of issues which may lead him to conclude, in his opinion that the application should be called in.


“The Secretary of State has decided not to call in this application. He is content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.”

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Now we have the Secretary of State’s decision not to call in this planning application, we are able to move forward, conclude the section 106 agreement and issue planning permission. This will provide much-needed investment boost to the local economy, with job and training opportunities during the construction phases.”

The site, known as Lutterworth East Strategic Development Area (SDA), is identified in the Harborough Local Plan as a key area for new housing in the district.

The 550-acre development will be on land east of the town and the M1, and would include more than 100 hectares of green space – approximately half of the site – including a community park, playing fields, allotments, woodland and new ecological habitats.

The scheme will also ensure the protection of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known as Misterton Marshes, the River Swift and its tributaries, Thornborough Spinney, mature trees and hedgerows.

The site will also be home to 23 hectares of retail and business space which is set to create around 2,500 jobs.

And there will be a community hub – with the potential for shops, restaurants, cafes, community hall and other facilities – together with two new primary schools.

Foot and cycle paths will connect the site to Lutterworth town centre. Improvements to main roads and junctions are also planned, including a new M1 bridge, and a new spine road.

Around 1,260 of the new homes are expected to be built by 2031.

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