There are fears it could create ‘widespread’ traffic issues
A rough outline of the area which includes part of the golf course(Image: Google Earth)
Controversial plans for 190 homes on part of a Leicestershire golf course have emerged, with fears it could create “widespread” traffic issues.
Applicant Parker Strategic Land wants to build the homes on land east of Hamilton Lane, Scraptoft. The site includes the western part of Scraptoft Golf Club, and is approximately 12.14 hectares in size.
Details about the development have come to light after the applicant asked Harborough District Council (HDC) whether it needed to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the scheme before submitting a planning application.
An EIA evaluates the potential environmental impacts of a development and is submitted before a wider planning application is filed with officials.
To date, one objector has raised concerns regarding the plans.
Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Leicestershire said the EIA “completely fails to consider the widespread impacts of traffic” from the proposed homes.
The campaign group added any “mitigation measures” could simply “move congestion somewhere else” and potentially create “yet more inappropriate development in totally unsuitable locations”.
A public consultation was undertaken last year which was described as the first phase of the wider Scraptoft North allocation for 1,200 homes across the whole golf course which was originally included in Harborough District Council’s Local Plan.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands that those plans were judged to be unviable due to the discovery of asbestos on part of the site and “abnormal build costs”. The LDRS also understands that the new plans include part of the site which is not contaminated.
The site is not now included in the proposed new Local Plan which was submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination last month.
Parker Strategic Land is proposing to put forward an outline planning application for the 190 homes, with heights up to two storeys, with associated landscaping, and open space following the EIA process.
Outline planning permission means a scheme is approved in principle, with the precise details to be decided through a later planning application.
Documents note that vehicle access is proposed from two points along Hamilton Lane, into the north and south of the site. Pedestrian and cycle access will also be made via the same access points, as well as a separate pedestrian access off Hamilton Lane.
According to the applicant, construction of the proposed development is planned to start in 2028, with first occupation expected in 2029 and construction being completed over a period of four years. Parker Strategic Land said the proposed development will be fully operational in 2032.
Plans note “children and staff at Nether Hall School and Orchard Mead Academy located to the west of the site” as being “potentially affected by the proposed development” – for example in terms of noise, dust and air pollution.
Speaking on behalf of the schools, The Mead Educational Trust said it was not something they were commenting on at this stage.