'1,000 houses built by stealth'
Plans to build hundreds of homes on the edge of Leicester look set to be approved this week.
Developers Scraptoft Developments LLP are seeking permission to put 416 homes on a 43-acre site off Keyham Lane, Hamilton.
The same firm already has the go-ahead for a 320-house development on an adjacent site that falls within neighbouring Charnwood.
Leicester City Council's planning committee is to discuss the 416-home application on Wednesday.
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The land is owned by the council. Planning officers have recommended the plan be approved.
However, campaigners from the Barkby And Barkby Thorpe Action Group (Babtag) have raised concerns about the traffic the new homes would create on nearby roads – particularly Hamilton Lane, between Scraptoft and Barkby Thorpe.
Babtag chairman Owen Bentley said: "With these 400 homes, the 320 next to it and 150 more that are being now built in the very last field in the city, along Barkby Thorpe Road, it means that by stealth nearly 1,000 houses will appear and nothing is being done to ease the traffic it will create.
"With this volume of housing, whatever the developers try to do it will have an impact on the road."
Leicester Civic Society has written to the council to express its concern that allowing the development would remove the remaining buffer between the city and the county.
They also say the extra homes would place a strain on existing facilities, such as schools, and could create a flood risk.
Planners have also received seven letters from residents, including those in Bryony Road.
They say the street will no longer be safe for children to play and is a residential route.
The Mercury was unable to contact anyone from Scraptoft Developments, but the firm's planning application says one in five of the homes will be lower cost properties.
It also says the project will help the city council meet its Government-set targets for providing land for building.
A city council planning spokesman said: "The development would offer housing on one of the city's strategic locations for housing.
"It would not result in any unacceptable impacts."
Comments
by Graham_LE8
Monday, November 26 2012, 6:52PM
“only 1000 houses? they're trying to build 4000+ in our neck of the woods!...”
by joe-bloggs
Monday, November 26 2012, 5:29PM
“Plenty of room to stuff the area with gypsy sites ,about the only thing not done to area yet .”
by llamalamb
Monday, November 26 2012, 5:12PM
“Surely this area has been in the local plan for years, identified as housing land? If so, it shouldn't be a great shock.”
by MjCclarke
Monday, November 26 2012, 4:52PM
“Over 30 years ago the villagers of Barkby apparently successfully campaigned against development encrocaching on their picturesque, working farm village. I remember the City Council soon rejigged their plans that resulted in the mass development of Hamillton sprawl.
(And its never stopped happening) Since then Barkby and Beeby have been advanced on from within the county from the direction of Barkby Firs, Syston, Queniborough and Thurnby. Then came the offensive from De Monfort University (they seem to be involved in whole sale change of every aspect of Leicesters) since sale of its Scraptoft campus site the march of bricks and motar across this once attractive rural corner of east Leicestershire has been relentless. It won't be long now before beautiful idyl of Brook Side Barkby, is little more than a diorama of former ruaral life, For many years the late District Councillor Roy Mitchell fought tooth and nail to protect his beloved Scraptoft, particularly Covert Lane. It seems now there is no one prominent enough now to stop the bullying cultivators of concrete even before an inconsiderate Government allow the Green Belt to be bricked over by relaxation of Planning laws.”
by Eastonian
Monday, November 26 2012, 4:02PM
“More houses = more concrete over fields = more flooding.
They won't need garages but moorings!!”
by democrat
Monday, November 26 2012, 3:53PM
“More houses = More need for services = more jobs for the boys(Council employees + full-time union representatives + Councillors + Assistant Deputy Mayors + more prayer rooms) = increased Council Tax + worse service
It's simple really”
by sansue
Monday, November 26 2012, 2:43PM
“"More house = more council tax payers = reduced council tax bills?
I am dreaming, someone slap me!"
David, please don't EVER get a job in local government finance!
More houses = greater demand for public services and pressure on infrastructure = more money required (which will usually be met wholly or in part by the increased number of council tax payers and developer contributions).”
by Praetorian66
Monday, November 26 2012, 2:04PM
“SSSSLAPPPP!!!!!!!”
by davidh11
Monday, November 26 2012, 1:38PM
“More house = more council tax payers = reduced council tax bills?
I am dreaming, someone slap me!”