South Whetstone – 120 House Proposal – Further info
I was pleased to accept an invitation to meet with representatives from Miller Homes’ development communications team. They had previously met with residents of Elliot Close and Wright Close, whose homes were flooded during heavy rain caused by Storm Henk in January this year.
The proposed development site on Springwell Lane, is located on land approximately 8–10 metres higher than the flooded area, though within 400 metres of it. The site lies on fields that frequently flood, raising valid concerns about whether the new construction would exacerbate water retention issues.
As with most modern developments, the project includes a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS). In this case, the SuDS design incorporates a large pond at the lowest point of the site, near Springwell Lane, where water currently drains from the field. This pond is intended to provide the same water retention as the existing field, with an additional 40% capacity to account for climate change. This approach appears to be standard practice, as I have heard similar commitments at other recent planning proposal presentations.
Researching who is responsible for approving the design and overseeing the construction of SuDS in England can be quite confusing. While SuDS Approval Boards (SAB) were established in Wales in 2019, the process for County Councils in England to take on a similar role is only now beginning to take shape, I have asked Leicestershire County Council who are the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), if they have now taken on the SAB role as the website does not make this clear.
When questioned about the maintenance of the SuDS, the representatives stated that their preference would be for it to be adopted by Severn Trent Water. If that is not possible, the County Council would be the next option. If neither of these options is viable, responsibility would be handed over to a management company for long-term upkeep.
Other topics discussed included the potential closure of Springwell Lane beyond the estate to vehicular traffic, allowing access for cyclists and pedestrians only. Given that this single-track road already has blind bends and is considered dangerous, the increased traffic from the development would likely worsen the situation.
The issue of gas supply to the new houses was also raised, especially given that gas installations will be banned from 2027. I expressed my view that including gas connections should not be considered.
The potential for solar panels on the new homes was another point of discussion. The representatives mentioned that Miller Homes has begun installing solar panels on some properties, though many buyers remain uncertain about their cost-effectiveness. This highlights the need for greater public education on the benefits and payback of solar technology. Interestingly, the representatives noted that estate designers are advocating for house orientations, such as south-facing roofs, and layouts that support solar panel installation. However, the current proposed layout does not appear to fully capitalise on this potential.
I was informed that 25% of the development will consist of social housing. These homes will be distributed across the site in clusters of no more than six properties each. While this exceeds the requirements set down by Blaby District Council, it is disappointing that a greater proportion is not being targeted at first-time buyers or those looking to downsize, as this could better address wider housing needs.
Finally, the representatives confirmed that the application will be a full planning submission, rather than an outline one, to accelerate the development process. Given the absence of a five-year housing supply within the Blaby District, applications like this are more likely to be approved.
The representatives said they would produce a Frequently Asked Questions document based on the residents questions and those I raised. I will link this to the post when I receive it.
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