The Planning Committee of Hinckley and Bosworth Council met on Tuesday 25 August 2026, approving a significant mixed-use development in Ratby, a self-build dwelling in Witherley, and an extension to the MIRA Technology Park. The committee also deferred a decision on a proposed housing development in Markfield due to archaeological concerns.

Burroughs Road Recreation Ground, Ratby

Outline planning permission was granted for a phased mixed-use development comprising approximately 470 dwellings and a one-form entry primary school on Burroughs Road Recreation Ground in Ratby. The decision was made despite significant local objections concerning landscape impact, traffic, infrastructure strain, and loss of open space. Councillors acknowledged these concerns but noted the council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, which, under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), necessitates a presumption in favour of sustainable development. The professional view of officers was that the benefits of the scheme, including housing delivery and the provision of a new primary school, outweighed the identified harms. The approval is subject to planning conditions and the signing of a Section 106 legal agreement to secure infrastructure contributions.

Land off Church Road, Witherley

Permission was granted for the erection of a single self-build dwelling and detached garage on land off Church Road in Witherley. The decision was made despite concerns raised by objectors regarding the scale of the dwelling, its impact on the Witherley Conservation Area, highway safety, and potential environmental issues. Councillors supported the application, with amendments to conditions to include construction hours, ecological protection for the River Anker, and to ensure the garage was subject to permitted development restrictions. The approval is also subject to a legal agreement securing the dwelling as a custom and self-build property.

Land adjacent MIRA Technology Park

Outline planning permission was granted for the extension of MIRA Technology Park, comprising employment use, associated office and service uses, storage, a new spine road, car parking, landscaping, and enabling works. The application, which spans multiple local authorities and regions, had been previously considered and granted, then quashed due to a judicial review concerning highway mitigation at the Drayton Lane junction. Despite further submissions from objectors proposing alternative highway solutions, National Highways and the local highway authorities maintained their support for the applicant's proposed left-in, left-out arrangement at Drayton Lane, citing highway safety benefits and the deliverability of the applicant's scheme. The committee approved the application, subject to planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement for off-site highway improvements and employment and skills training.

Land opposite Industrial Estate, Hill Lane, Markfield

A decision on the outline planning application for up to 67 dwellings on land opposite the industrial estate on Hill Lane, Markfield, was deferred. While officers recommended approval, citing the need to address housing land supply and the benefits of the development, some members expressed concerns regarding archaeological potential. They felt that a phase of pre-determination trial trenching was necessary to adequately assess the site's archaeological significance before a decision could be made.

50 Woodlands Drive, Groby

Permission was granted to vary conditions on a previously approved planning application for a two-storey side extension at 50 Woodlands Drive, Groby. The variation sought to alter the garage roof to create habitable loft space. The decision was made despite officer concerns about the impact on the amenity of the neighbouring property at No. 77 Woodlands Drive, with members considering the letters of support from other neighbours and agreeing to approve the application with appropriate conditions, including those related to construction hours, ecology, and permitted development rights for the garage.

Appeals Progress

Members were updated on planning appeals progress. Three appeals were dismissed: Paddock House, Ashbury Road, Stapleton; Land Northwest Leicester Road, Earl Shilton; and Land off Barwell Lane, Kirkby Mallory. Reference dates were noted for upcoming hearings and inquiries concerning developments in Newbold Verdon and Burbage.