Locals have raised concerns that the village is becoming overdeveloped and that there is already too much traffic along the lane
Councillors have approved ‘outline’ plans for 61 homes and a shop to be built in Higham on the Hill despite objections from councillors and residents.
The controversial scheme to develop a field off Wood Lane, at the south west end of the village, was filed by DLP Planning, on behalf of Robert Jones.
Locals have raised concerns that the village, which is to the north of Hinckley, is becoming overdeveloped and that there is already too much traffic along the lane.
However, the planning committee at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council approved the outline scheme, which comprises the access for the estate, with further details, including the layout of the homes, to be set out in a future application.
Among the objectors was Councillor Zoe Green, from the village’s parish council, who told the committee that the development would be ‘too much growth’ for the village.
She said: This would increase the size of the village by approximately 20 per cent. This is not aligned with the village infrastructure.
We have no health services, no hospitality amenities, no post office and currently no shop. This will only serve to increase the use of private cars, increasing greenhouse gas emissions and not mitigating climate change, she said.
Other environmental issues to consider are the loss of a rural meadow, a loss of habitat for wildlife such as bats, hedgehogs, frogs, birds and hawks, that are regularly seen hunting on this field, she said.
She also warned that the proposals ignored the rural nature of Wood Lane.
She told the committee: In the planning statement, Wood Lane is referred to as a highway, and would be widened to allow for the development. Wood Lane is not a highway; it is a country lane and a village amenity. It is used by walkers and a route for cycling.
The borough council received 52 letters of objection from residents, with locals calling for brownfield sites to be considered first before greenfield land is developed.
Some councillors on the planning committee reflected these concerns.
Councillor Jonathan Collett, who represents the village, said: It’s simply not logical to site new housing on a small, rural lane in open countryside, in the historic village of Higham on the Hill.
But a majority of the councillors voted in favour of approving the outline proposal.
