Decision on New Homes in Earl Shilton Delayed Over Temporary Access Road Concerns

A decision on the construction of 81 new homes in Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, has been postponed by the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s planning committee. The delay comes after concerns were raised about a temporary access road proposed by developer Persimmon Homes.

The development, situated on fields off Clickers Way, borders the future Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) – a massive 1,500-home project that received approval earlier this year. Persimmon Homes plans to create a temporary road from Thurlaston Lane to facilitate access to the site until a permanent route is established through the SUE. However, the company has stated that the temporary road will be permanently closed once it is no longer needed.

This plan has sparked significant concern among councillors, with some suspecting that Persimmon Homes is attempting to “jump the gun” and commence construction before the more detailed SUE plans are finalized. Councillor Richard Allen voiced this suspicion, suggesting that the temporary road might be a strategic move by the developer. Furthermore, Councillor Mark Bools highlighted several issues, including the potential destruction of large amounts of hedgerow, and raised doubts about the road’s suitability, even if it is temporary. He argued that the road would need to meet adoptable standards, regardless of its intended lifespan.

Councillor Bools proposed deferring the decision, emphasizing the need for a plan that ensures highway safety while preserving local hedgerows and trees. “It’s not in a workable state; it feels a bit half-baked,” he remarked. Echoing these sentiments, Councillor Ozzy O’Shea expressed concerns about the environmental impact, stating, “We have got a climate emergency. We don’t want to be ripping out hedgerows willy-nilly. If we are taking stuff out, we need to replace it double, so that we do put more trees in because that’s what we need for the future.”

Ward councillor Claire Allen also criticized Persimmon Homes, accusing the company of treating both residents and the planning process with “contempt.” She suggested that Persimmon dropped out of the SUE consortium to avoid paying enhanced community and infrastructure contributions associated with the SUE. Persimmon has refuted these claims, insisting that the proposed development will bring “significant benefits” to the local community if approved.

Adding to the controversy, Councillor Allen claimed that contractors working on Thurlaston Lane told her they were “digging trial trenches,” which Persimmon initially denied. However, Leicestershire County Council later confirmed that these contractors were indeed working under Persimmon’s instructions. Allen also reported that significant hedgerow cutting had occurred recently, potentially during the nesting season, prompting a report to the police.

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for Persimmon Homes expressed disappointment over the decision to defer the project but confirmed that the company will continue working with the council ahead of the next committee meeting. The spokesperson clarified that no development work has started on the site and that recent boundary work was investigatory and had been discussed with the council in advance. The spokesperson added that maintenance of the hedge was carried out to ensure pedestrian and road user safety.

Persimmon Homes also highlighted their commitment to delivering the development in a way that benefits the community, noting that they are making proportional contributions to the SUE through Section 106 agreements. They emphasized that these contributions are being delivered earlier than required.

The planning committee ultimately voted unanimously to defer the decision, pending further information from Persimmon Homes. The development’s future now hinges on the outcome of these ongoing discussions.