Town size may expand by 40%

PLANS for nearly 1,000 new homes and a relief road in Castle Donington, which would increase its size by nearly 40%, have been submitted.

Miller Homes and Clowes Developments want to build up to 975 new properties on farmland off Park Lane, close to Donington Park and East Midlands Airport.

Under the proposals, the firms would give cash to reduce the impact of the development on the village's schools and health services.

When put together with an application for 275 homes, granted permission 12 months ago, it would see the total number of properties in Castle Donington rise by nearly half.

North West Leicestershire District Council will now decide whether to allow the outline planning application.

Castle Donington currently has just 2,600 houses. However, the East Midlands Regional Plan requires the provision of 10,200 homes in North West Leicestershire between now and 2026.

Tony Saffell, who represents the village on the district council, urged interested parties to make their views heard.

Mr Saffell said: "Consultation was supposed to end on December 31, but I said that was ridiculous because people have their minds on other things at this time of year.

"It won't be considered by the council until March at the earliest, but people now have until the end of January to make comments. But judging by the amount of criticism of the previous site, I dare say there will be some concerns about this."

The relief road would link Back Lane with Hill Top and, according to the developers, would "benefit the whole community".

"The provision of this new highway infrastructure will help to remove through traffic from High Street and Bondgate," the application says. It would also improve air quality in the centre of the village, it claims. Financial contributions would be made towards bus, library and cycling facilities in the area.

More information would be set out in a detailed planing application, which would need to be submitted even if outline permission is granted.

Last December, developer Ametrine was given outline consent to build up to 275 homes on farmland next to Park Lane.

The district council's planning committee narrowly approved the scheme, despite protesters collecting 1,250 names on a petition against it.

This latest application sent to the district council says many of the proposed 975 homes would be classed as affordable housing.

It says: "The proposals will increase the population of Castle Donington and provide additional employment opportunities. The forecast increase in population will put pressure on services and facilities, in particular education, health and recreation facilities.

"Without appropriate mitigation it is predicted the development could have moderate to major negative impacts."

The level of financial aid needed to make sure the scheme would not have the feared negative impact on the village would have to be agreed between the council and the developer.