Source: Persimmon A CGI of what the scheme at Earl Shilton will look like
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has issued a stop notice to developer Persimmon, ordering a halt to preparatory work at a proposed housing site in Earl Shilton. The council asserted that recent earthworks carried out by the developer “exceed permissible enabling activities.”
The project, an 81-home development in Earl Shilton, received planning approval in early September. However, work on-site cannot officially begin until the Section 106 agreement—a legal document outlining developer contributions and obligations—has been finalized. Despite this, heavy machinery was observed on-site, and some earth movement had already taken place.
The council clarified that only minimal enabling works, such as vegetation clearance, are allowed prior to final permissions. It determined that Persimmon’s earth-moving activities went beyond what is legally permitted.
On November 1, the council imposed a 56-day stop notice, preventing further work on-site until the legal agreements are complete.
A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes stated: “Persimmon Homes continues to work collaboratively with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to deliver the much-needed homes and associated community benefits at this allocated site. Enabling works were initiated in good faith to prepare the site for development once permissions and section agreements are in place.”
In response to concerns from local residents about the scale of the preparatory work, the developer has since demobilized the site in compliance with the notice.
The spokesperson added that efforts to finalize the Section 106 agreement are ongoing, with development expected to begin in the New Year.
The development had previously faced criticism from Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council members, who described the plans as “half-baked” due to concerns over a temporary access road planned for the site. This road is set to be replaced by a permanent access route from Mill Lane, which is part of the broader Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE)—a larger, 1,500-home project approved earlier this year.
