Hinckley housing decision

Planning officers say permission for the scheme should be granted despite residents' objections.

Plan for 415 homes on edge of Hinckley set for approval

Richborough Estates plans to build 415 homes on land north of the A47 Normandy Way, the second phase of a large housing estate on the edge of Hinckley. The scheme follows a separate decision granting permission for 475 homes on an adjacent site after an appeal. The plans were submitted last year, and planning officers at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have recommended councillors approve the smaller development at a meeting on Tuesday.

Nearby residents have objected, arguing the scale of the project and its effect on the local area. Planning officers say the proposal fits the council's housing targets and follows from the earlier appeal decision. If approved, the development would move forward as part of the estate, with future details on infrastructure and services to be set by planning conditions.

This case shows the clash between housing supply goals and local sentiment. Officials emphasize that delivering new homes remains a priority, even when residents raise concerns about change in the neighbourhood. The approval path here suggests the planning authority believes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, at least in the short term.

It also highlights how earlier appeal decisions can steer later plans. When one site wins permission at appeal, it can serve as a template for future phases, but it can also fuel perceptions of a two tier process in the eyes of locals. The real test will be how the council uses conditions to manage growth and protect community interests.

Highlights

Growth and community voices must move forward together.