The Planning Committee of Hinckley and Bosworth Council was scheduled to consider a range of planning applications. Items on the agenda included an extension to the MIRA Technology Park and a housing development north of Normandy Way.

Extension to MIRA Technology Park, Caldecote

An outline planning application for the extension of the MIRA Technology Park in Caldecote was scheduled for discussion. The proposal, a cross-boundary application with North Warwickshire Borough Council, sought to expand the park to include employment uses (Class B2), associated office and service uses (Class E g), and storage (Class B8). The plans also included a new spine road, car parking, landscaping, and enabling works.

The report pack detailed a complex planning history for this application, including a previous resolution to grant permission in July 2025, which was later quashed by Judicial Review. A key point of contention was the proposed modification of the Drayton Lane junction with the A5 to a left in, left out arrangement. Objectors, including Extra Room Self Storage (ERSS) and Drayton Grange Farm, argued that this would materially interfere with their established access rights and force traffic through Fenny Drayton village. They contended that a signalised junction at Drayton Lane was technically feasible and a more appropriate solution, a view supported by some of their own technical assessments. National Highways, however, had previously stated that while signalisation was technically possible, it was not considered a practical solution due to land requirements and potential impacts on local networks. National Highways maintained that the applicant's proposed mitigation, including the left-in, left-out arrangement, was appropriate and that the previous decision to grant permission remained their recommendation. The report noted that North Warwickshire Borough Council had subsequently granted planning permission for the proposal, which remained extant.

Housing Development North of Normandy Way, Hinckley

The committee was also scheduled to consider an application for reserved matters concerning the layout, scale, appearance, and landscaping for a housing development on land north of Normandy Way, Hinckley. This application followed an outline planning permission for up to 415 dwellings, with the current proposal seeking consent for 406 dwellings. The development was planned to include a mix of one to five-bedroom homes, with 20% affordable housing provision.

Concerns had been raised by local residents regarding the proximity of new housing to existing properties on Ashby Road and Ashby Grange, impacting privacy and amenity. The report indicated that the applicant had made minor amendments to the layout to address specific concerns, including relocating a boundary fence and ensuring proposed dwellings were positioned side-on to the closest existing properties. The plans also detailed landscaping, including the retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows, and the provision of various play spaces and open areas. Conditions related to drainage and surface water management were still under review, with further information required for certain aspects.

Single Storey Rear Extension at 43 Park Road, Hinckley

A smaller application scheduled for discussion was for a single-storey rear extension at 43 Park Road, Hinckley. The applicant sought permission for the extension, which would also involve internal conversion of a dining room to a bedroom, to accommodate the needs of a disabled family member. The report indicated that the proposal was considered to be in keeping with the character of the area and would not have an adverse impact on residential amenity or highway safety. A recommendation to grant planning permission was made, subject to conditions.

Appeals Progress

An update on appeals progress was also scheduled to be presented. This report listed various planning appeals that were at different stages of the process, including those awaiting a decision, with start dates for statements of case, and those that had been dismissed or allowed. These appeals covered a range of development types, from householder extensions to larger housing developments and changes of use.