Public inquiry to be held into plans to build 70 homes at Asfordby

Melton Council last year refused the outline application, submitted by Jelsons, on the grounds it would not relate well to the built-up area of the village and it would adversely impact on the character and appearance of the open countryside.

Councillors also felt the scheme would be contrary to the Pre-Submission Melton Local Plan and the Asfordby Neighbourhood Plan and that the negative aspects of the proposals outweighed the need to provide more housing in the borough.

The development was designed to form an extension to the outline plans for 100 new homes to be built to the east of the site and accessed via Station Lane, which was permitted by the council last May.

The scheme to be considered by an inspector at a public inquiry is on a 7.80-acre site which is currently used for arable farming.

In their application, the developers noted that the site was close to amenities, with Captain’s Close Primary School 630 metres away and the Co-op supermarket and other amenities within 900 metres.

Jelson plans to build a mix of homes with between two and five bedrooms with up to 40 per cent of them available as affordable properties.

Submissions for the inquiry, which was triggered after the developer appealed against the council’s refusal to the Secretary of State, must be made by May 23.