The Planning Committee of North West Leicestershire Council met on Tuesday 11 August 2026 to consider a significant residential development proposal. The meeting's agenda included the confirmation of previous minutes and a detailed report on a planning application for the erection of 150 residential dwellings.

Planning Application: Land Adjoining Ashby Road, Kegworth

The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration of a planning application for the erection of 150 residential dwellings, associated infrastructure, public open space, and landscaping, along with the provision of a temporary construction access, at land adjoining Ashby Road, Kegworth, Derbyshire. The report pack recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to a Section 106 agreement.

The application, reference 16/00378/FULM, was called in by Councillor Sutton due to concerns regarding design, environmental impact, traffic, sustainability, and the density of the proposed development. The report detailed extensive considerations, including:

• Principle of Development and Sustainability: The site is within the Limits to Development in Kegworth, a 'Local Service Centre', making residential development acceptable in principle. The proposal was assessed as sustainable, contributing to housing needs and supported by developer contributions for infrastructure.
• Design, Housing Mix and Impact on the Character and Appearance of the Streetscape: The proposed density was discussed in relation to previous consents and local planning policies. The report noted that while the density was higher than an extant consent, it was considered to make optimal use of the site, taking into account constraints. The layout, house types, street trees, and boundary treatments were all detailed, with the Council's Urban Designer's input highlighted. The housing mix proposed included 45 affordable dwellings, with a tenure split of 30 social rent and 15 discounted open market.
• Neighbours and Future Occupants' Amenities: The report assessed potential impacts on existing and future residents, including separation distances between properties, overlooking, overshadowing, and noise. A significant portion of the report was dedicated to noise mitigation strategies due to the proximity of the M1 motorway, East Midlands Gateway, and East Midlands Airport. The proposed Noise Mitigation Strategy (NMS) was considered acceptable by the Council's Environmental Protection Team, subject to conditions.
• Air Quality: An Air Quality Assessment concluded that construction impacts would be 'not significant' with mitigation, and operational phase impacts would be 'negligible'.
• Highway Impacts: The Leicestershire County Council Highways Authority raised no objections, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement for contributions towards travel packs, bus passes, and travel plan monitoring. National Highways also raised no objections.
• Ecology and Biodiversity: An Ecological Impact Assessment indicated that while a mitigation licence from Natural England would be required for badger setts, the development would deliver a biodiversity net gain.
• Landscaping: The County Council Tree Officer had no objections to the removal of certain trees and hedgerows, noting that the proposed soft landscaping schemes would compensate for their loss.
• Flood Risk and Drainage: The site is within Flood Zone 1, at the lowest risk of fluvial flooding. A Flood Risk Assessment and drainage strategy proposed the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS).
• Developer Contributions and Infrastructure: A total of £1,183,280.55 in financial contributions was sought, covering affordable housing, education, civic amenity, libraries, transportation, health services, and on-site open space, sports, and play facilities.
• Impact on the Historic Environment and Archaeology: An Archaeological Desk Based Assessment identified potential for Prehistoric and Roman remains, leading to a recommendation for archaeological mitigation conditions. No harm was identified to built heritage assets.
• Impact on Safeguarded Minerals and Waste Sites: No objections were raised by the County Council Minerals and Waste Planning Authority.
• Aviation Safety: East Midlands Airport Safeguarding raised no objections, subject to conditions relating to building height, external lighting, a Bird Hazard Management Plan, and other assessments.
• Waste Collection: The Council's Waste Services Development Officer was satisfied with the proposed arrangements for waste collection.

The report concluded that, subject to conditions and the Section 106 agreement, the proposed development represented sustainable development and recommended approval.