October Planning Round-Up: Five Housing Proposals Across Leicestershire

CPRE Leicestershire has recently reviewed five significant housing proposals across the county, submitting three objections and taking a neutral position on two applications.

Our responses highlight concerns around the loss of countryside, protection of Green Wedges, local wildlife and heritage, and the need for infrastructure to keep pace with development.

While we recognise the need for new homes, we believe development should be appropriately located, carefully planned and sensitive to the character of our towns and villages.

📍 Swinford

Proposal: Up to 62 homes

Location: Four hectares of greenfield land in Swinford

Application: 26/01378/OUT – Harborough District Council

CPRE position: Objection

Key concerns:

• Disproportionate expansion of a small rural village

• Permanent loss of four hectares of greenfield land

• Destruction of historic ridge and furrow earthworks

• Lasting harm to the surrounding landscape

• Limited public transport and increased car dependency

📍 Hinckley – Ashby Road & Normandy Way

Proposal: 482 homes as part of the wider Hinckley North development

Location: Ashby Road and Normandy Way

Application: 26/00813/FUL – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

CPRE position: Neutral

Key considerations:

• Protecting the separation between Hinckley and Barwell

• Securing permanent green buffers between settlements

• Coordinating schools, healthcare and road infrastructure with housing growth

• Preventing the gradual loss of important green gaps

• Ensuring development respects the surrounding landscape

📍 Desford – Bosworth Academy

Proposal: Approximately 550 homes, a district centre, healthcare facility, sports facilities and green spaces

Location: Land south of Bosworth Academy

Application: 26/00675/OUT – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

CPRE position: Neutral

Key considerations:

• Permanent loss of 42 hectares of agricultural countryside

• Timely delivery of healthcare and transport infrastructure

• Outstanding road safety and traffic concerns

• Protection of local wildlife, including nesting skylarks

• Effective green corridors between the development and surrounding countryside

📍 Hinckley – East of Ashby Road

Proposal: Up to 103 homes

Location: Land east of Ashby Road

Application: 25/01207/OUT – Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council

CPRE position: Objection

Key concerns:

• Development within an important Green Wedge

• Loss of open agricultural land

• Erosion of separation between Hinckley, Barwell and Earl Shilton

• Harm to the rural setting and identity of neighbouring settlements

• Previous refusal of a much smaller development on the site

📍 Market Harborough – Farndale View

Proposal: Up to 85 homes

Location: Farndale View, Market Harborough

Application: 26/00916/OUT – Harborough District Council

CPRE position: Objection

Key concerns:

• Permanent loss of 5.6 hectares of agricultural land

• Urbanisation of the town's rural edge

• Impact on the character of the surrounding countryside

• Pressure on schools, healthcare and other local infrastructure

• Development on land not allocated for housing in the local plan

Giving the Countryside a Voice

Planning decisions shape the future of Leicestershire's towns, villages and countryside. Our role is to examine proposals carefully, challenge developments where necessary and call for improvements that protect our landscapes and communities.

From safeguarding historic countryside features to ensuring new developments provide adequate infrastructure, this work helps make sure the long-term impact of planning decisions is properly considered.

Become a member of CPRE Leicestershire and help us continue giving the countryside a voice.