Whilst no new major housing applications have been submitted this week, the agenda has been published for the meeting of Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee next week.
Blaby District Planning Meeting: Littlethorpe & Countesthorpe Developments Face Critical Decision
On 13th February, Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee will decide on two controversial housing developments in Littlethorpe and Countesthorpe. The proposals—one for 155 homes off Oak Road, Littlethorpe and another for 41 homes off Gillam Butts, Countesthorpe—have been recommended for approval by planning officers despite strong objections from local residents, parish councils, and Green Party campaigners.
Littlethorpe Development (155 Homes, Oak Road)
This proposal, has faced considerable opposition, including from Narborough Parish Council, and Cosby Parish Council and concerns raised by Network Rail. Key concerns include:
Traffic and the Level Crossing
One of the biggest concerns is the impact on the already congested level crossing at Station Road, Narborough. Network Rail were consulted on the application and did not raise an objection, but they expressed concerns regarding Narborough Level Crossing. They stated: ‘The safety of railway level crossings and all crossing users is of paramount importance to us and we would have concerns over any proposed scheme that would increase the usage and risk of a railway crossing.’
Despite this, there are currently no confirmed mitigation measures in place. Improvements to the level crossing are not realistically possible, as previous proposals for step-free crossings such as lifts have already been ruled out, including in plans for the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI). This means that residents of Littlethorpe and Narborough could face longer delays and increased traffic spillover onto surrounding roads with no viable infrastructure solution.
Access & Road Safety
Littlethorpe is not well served by major roads, and the development proposes only one access point via Oak Road, a narrow, residential street. With emergency vehicles, bin lorries, and general traffic, many question whether the road infrastructure can handle the extra demand.
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) has acknowledged that the development exceeds the usual threshold of 150 homes for a single access point, yet has not objected on this basis. Additionally, refuse vehicles may be required to use both sides of the road when turning, which could cause temporary traffic disruption.
The B4114 / Desford Road roundabout will see increased congestion by 2029, with significant traffic impact during peak hours. As a result, the developer is required to propose a mitigation scheme, though details remain unclear.
A £50,000 contribution towards cycling and walking routes has been proposed, but there is no certainty that this will significantly improve connectivity to Narborough Station or local schools. Without viable alternatives to car travel, the development risks increasing car dependency in an area already struggling with congestion.
Flooding & Drainage
Although the site is in Flood Zone 1, residents have reported increasing instances of surface water flooding nearby. The Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) proposed by the applicant is untested, and there has been no independent verification that it will prevent water runoff from affecting existing homes.
Severn Trent Water (STW) has confirmed that foul water capacity is available, subject to a Section 106 agreement, but surface water drainage remains unresolved. The developer is required to pursue a connection to a nearby watercourse, meaning there is still a risk of flooding issues if a viable drainage solution cannot be secured.
Green Space & Policy CS18 Conflict
Blaby District’s Core Strategy Policy CS18 protects countryside land from inappropriate development. The Littlethorpe site is clearly in the open countryside and is not allocated for housing in the Local Plan. However, due to Blaby’s inability to demonstrate a 5-year housing land supply, national planning policy (the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’) may be used to justify overriding local protections.
Many local campaigners, including Blaby Green Party, disagree with this approach, arguing that housing shortfalls should be met by prioritising brownfield sites and sustainable locations, rather than eroding village boundaries and green spaces.
Countesthorpe Development (41 Homes, Gillam Butts)
While the Countesthorpe development is smaller, it still raises serious concerns about traffic, infrastructure, and sustainability.
Highways & Road Capacity
The single access route via Hallcroft Avenue means that all traffic from the development will feed into Station Road, already a busy commuter route. The Local Highway Authority has highlighted that the number of dwellings served by this junction exceeds recommended thresholds, yet no junction improvements have been proposed as a condition of approval.
Local Services Under Pressure
Greenfield Primary School is already full, and Countesthorpe Health Centre has stated it cannot expand—yet financial contributions towards education (£225,778) and healthcare (£31,750) have been suggested without a clear strategy on how they would be used to create additional capacity.
What Happens Next?
Given that several applications, including in Cosby and Countesthorpe, have already been approved due to the lack of a 5-year housing supply, this continues to set a dangerous precedent for further speculative applications on greenfield sites. Both proposals have been recommended for approval largely due to the district’s lack of a 5-year housing land supply, meaning developers can exploit national planning policies to push through housing in unsustainable locations.
Blaby Green Party believes that new housing should be genuinely sustainable—well-connected to public transport, with supporting infrastructure in place before development begins. These applications do not currently meet those basic principles.
How You Can Get Involved
- Attend the Planning Committee meeting on 13th February to hear the discussion and voice concerns.
- Contact your district councillors and let them know your thoughts before they vote.
- Push for better planning policies that prioritise brownfield development and sustainable infrastructure.
- Join the Green Party campaign: We are calling for a sustainable housing strategy that protects our villages and green spaces while ensuring the right homes are built in the right places.
With the Leicestershire County Council elections approaching in May 2025, residents have a real chance to influence county-wide policies that impact transport, infrastructure, and environmental planning. Green Party candidates will be standing in every division across Leicestershire, advocating for sustainable infrastructure, improved public transport, and policies that support well-planned development.
If you share these concerns, get in touch or join our campaign!
Final Note
We strive to ensure that all facts and figures in my articles are accurate. However, like everyone, we can and do make mistakes. This article is provided with errors and omissions excepted (E&OE).
If you spot an error or have additional information that could improve this analysis, please feel free to contact us via email contact@blaby.greenparty.org.uk. Constructive feedback is always welcome!