The Planning Committee of Melton Council met on Thursday 19 February 2026 to discuss several planning applications and receive an update on the Planning Productivity Plan. The committee approved two planning applications: one for a change of use of land for holiday lodges and static caravans in Harston, and another for a children's home and annexe in Thorpe Arnold. An update was also provided on the progress of the Planning Productivity Plan, which aims to improve the efficiency and performance of the planning service.

Application 24/00187/FUL: Land Adjacent to Keepers Lodge, Denton Lane, Harston

The committee approved the change of use of land adjacent to Keepers Lodge in Harston for the siting of lodges and static caravans for holiday use. The proposal includes the development of 5 lodges and 10 static caravans, with associated parking and a shared play area. Access to the site will be from Denton Lane.

The decision was made subject to a number of conditions, including the submission of landscaping proposals, a construction traffic management plan, and details of drainage and water supply. The conditions also stipulate that the units are for holiday accommodation only and cannot be used as a sole or main residence.

During the debate, concerns were raised by Denton Parish Council and Belvoir Parish Council regarding highway access, the impact on the rural character of the area, sustainability issues, and infrastructure provision. Objectors also raised concerns about the potential for the units to become permanent residences, the scale of the development, and the impact on heritage assets. The applicant responded to these concerns, stating that the water supply is from Anglian Water and that they are happy to accept a pre-commencement condition regarding water supply. They also agreed to fund advance warning signs to deter visitors from accessing the site via The Drift Road.

The committee found that the proposal aligns with the council's policy on sustainable tourism development, which supports proposals that improve facilities and benefit local businesses. The development was considered to be of an appropriate scale and in a prime location for tourism, with potential to generate additional revenue for local businesses. The visual impact on the landscape was deemed acceptable, with mitigation measures proposed through landscaping conditions. Heritage impacts were considered neutral, with no objections raised by Historic England or The Gardens Trust. Highway matters were addressed by the Local Highway Authority, who raised no objection to the amended access arrangements. Ecological impacts were also considered acceptable, with conditions to ensure biodiversity net gain.

Application 22/00154/FUL: Avahan, Waltham Road, Thorpe Arnold

The committee approved the change of use of Avahan, an existing dwelling in Thorpe Arnold, to a Children's Home (Use Class C2) and the erection of a self-contained annexe to the rear. The proposal will accommodate up to four children and two live-in staff in the main dwelling, and a further four children and two staff in the new annexe, increasing the total capacity to eight children and four carers.

The decision was made subject to a range of conditions, including those relating to internal noise levels, construction hours, biodiversity enhancements, archaeological investigation, and drainage. Crucially, conditions were imposed to limit the occupancy of the main dwelling to four children and two resident staff, and the annexe to four children and two resident staff, and to prevent any increase in occupancy without prior planning permission.

The application was controversial, with objections received from the Parish Council and numerous local residents. Objections centred on the site being outside the Neighbourhood Plan development boundary and within an area of separation, highway safety concerns, inadequate parking, the suitability of the location for a children's home, and fears of increased disturbance and anti-social behaviour. Concerns were also raised about the proposed occupancy levels and the potential for the development to lead to further expansion.

However, the committee noted that a Certificate of Lawfulness had previously been issued confirming that the property could lawfully operate under Class C3(b) for up to six residents with care provided. This was considered a significant material consideration, demonstrating that the principle of care-related occupation at the site had already been accepted. The committee also took into account national policy objectives, including the NPPF and a Written Ministerial Statement from May 2023, which state that planning should not be a barrier to providing homes for vulnerable children. Melton Borough Council's Planning Guidance for Children's Homes was also cited as supporting such developments.

The officers' report concluded that while the proposal conflicted with local plan policies regarding settlement boundaries and areas of separation, these conflicts were outweighed by significant material considerations, including the social benefits of meeting an identified local need for specialist children's care, the fallback position established by the Certificate of Lawfulness, and the design and location of the annexe within the established curtilage. The design of the annexe was considered to be subservient to the host dwelling and sympathetic to the character of Thorpe Arnold, with mature landscaping providing screening. Highway safety concerns were addressed by the Local Highway Authority, who raised no objection.

Planning Productivity Plan Update

The committee received an update on the Planning Productivity Plan (PPP), a programme initiated to modernise the Planning Service and improve its performance, capacity, workflow, and process efficiency. The report detailed the work undertaken to date, including the introduction of Short Interval Management (SIM) and the Workview analytical tool.

The update highlighted a reduction in the number of applications in progress and an increase in the number of applications determined since the introduction of SIM. The report stated that the productivity of the team had almost doubled, leading to a measurable reduction in work in progress for the first time in approximately 20 years. The report acknowledged that the service was operating under significant pressure, including staff absences and a high volume of complaints and requests, but emphasised the commitment of the team to delivering improvements. The financial position of the PPP was also outlined, with the programme expected to remain within its allocated budget. The next steps for the programme include embedding new routines, refining processes, and developing a performance dashboard to ensure continued improvement.