Lutterworth East will not be ‘called-in’

In July 2020, Leicestershire County Council plans for 2,750 new homes, community facilities and employment space to the east of Lutterworth were approved by Harborough District Council’s planning committee.

The site is identified in the Harborough Local Plan as a key area to accommodate new growth in the district, known as Lutterworth East Strategic Development Area (SDA).

In September 2020, South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa and Lutterworth Town Council requested that the planning application be ‘called-in’ for review by Government.

But on 9 February 2021, Harborough District Council were informed that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, would not be ‘calling-in’ the application.

In a letter to the Council, from the Secretary of State’s department, it was stated: “The Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.

“In deciding whether to call in this application, the Secretary of State has considered his policy on calling in planning applications. This policy gives examples of the types of issues which may lead him to conclude, in his opinion that the application should be called in. The Secretary of State has decided not to call in this application. He is content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.”

Cllr Phil King, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Now we have the Secretary of State’s decision not to call in this planning application, we are able to move forward, conclude the section 106 agreement and issue planning permission. This will provide much-needed investment boost to the local economy, with job and training opportunities during the construction phases.”

The 550-acre development, known as Lutterworth East, will be on land east of the town and the M1, and would include over 100 hectares of green space – approximately half of the site – two new primary schools and employment space to create around 2,500 jobs.

The scheme will also ensure the protection of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) known as Misterton Marshes, the River Swift and its tributaries, Thornborough Spinney, mature trees and hedgerows.

It is expected that 1,260 of the new homes will be built by 2031 and the rest after 2031. Approximately 40% of the new housing will be affordable homes to help people struggling to find a property to buy or rent.