Dozens of new homes approved despite villagers’ flood fears
Plans for dozens of new homes in a village near Melton Mowbray have been given the green light despite neighbours’ fears about increased flooding.
Charnwood Borough Council’s plans committee approved the proposals for 53 new houses in Wymeswold, on agricultural land on the northern side of East Road.
The application, submitted by Allison Homes East Midlands Ltd, would involve agricultural land east of the village being developed into a new estate.
Several people living in properties neighbouring the site objected to the scheme, fearing it would exacerbate existing flooding problems in the village, which was significantly hit by Storm Henk in January 2024.
One resident, Rob Gay, wrote that there had already been ‘damage and inconvenience’ to the community due to an ‘aged culvert system’ handling demand which it was ‘never designed to manage’.
Beth Lambourne, speaking on behalf of the applicant, addressed the concerns highlighted by local people.
She said the flood risks had already been identified when a different developer previously secured planning permission for 45 homes on the land and that this had informed the design of the new scheme.
Members were told the proposed drainage strategy will actually reduce the run-off rate and will lead to the ‘overall betterment’ of hydraulics in the area.
An independent review by the Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) concluded the planned development would not increase flood risk.
Ultimately, the vote in favour of the application was unanimous among members of the committee.
As part of a section 106 agreement, local health and police bodies and nearby schools and libraries had requested financial contributions from the developer exceeding £250,000.
However, officers warned the committee that aspects of this deal may not go ahead.