Edge-of-town housing and office development recommended for approval

Westleigh Partnerships Ltd is seeking full planning permission for the mixed use residential and commercial development on land off the A607 Leicester Road.

Melton Council’s planning committee, which is set to decide the full planning application tonight, has been recommended to approve the scheme, subject to various conditions and completion of a section 106 planning agreement - a document made up of obligations to be met by the developer including financial contributions towards medical facilities, library provision and education expansion.

Westleigh has previously been granted permission to build about 50 homes on the western section of the site (Mill House Nurseries site).

But it was refused permission by the council last year to build about 54 homes and offices on the eastern section of the site on the grounds of noise affecting future residents and the loss of an employment site.

The developer’s latest application, if approved, would see the development of the whole site including both sections. The proposed development would comprise of 39 ‘affordable homes’ and 58 homes for sale.

A planning officer’s report to tonight’s committee says: “It is considered that, on the balance of the issues, there are very significant benefits accruing from the proposal when assessed, as required, under the guidance of the national planning policy framework in terms of housing supply and affordable housing in particular.

“The balancing issues - development of a greenfield site and loss of employment permission on part of the site - is considered to be of very limited harm in this location due to the site characteristics and because development has already been permitted across the site.

“The borough is deficient in terms of housing land supply more generally and this would be partly addressed by the application. The location is considered to perform very well in terms of sustainability, access to services and facilities and with good transport links.

“Potential noise and odour impacts can be adequately controlled.”