Golf centre housing bid rejection appealed

Refusal of plans to build up to 200 homes on a golf course in Blaby village is being appealed.  

Developer, Hallam Land Management (HLM) is asking the government’s Planning Inspectorate to overturn Blaby District Council’s original rejection. 

The appeal is to be heard by a Planning Inspector over the course of several days in May.   

HLM’s outline application for the housing scheme at the Blaby Golf Centre site was turned down by Council planning committee members at a meeting on 31 July last year. 

Officers had recommended the scheme be refused and the application garnered more than 1,700 objections from the public.  

In their report officers said while the development would provide much-needed housing, the loss of 16 hectares of Green Wedge was “considered to be inherently harmful.”  

They said proposals to relocate other well-used businesses at the centre, including a dance school, gym, taxi rank, boutique and beauty salon were inadequate.  

Councillor Mike Shirley, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Planning and Strategic Growth, said: "We were confident that refusing this application was the right thing to do in planning terms when it came before us last year. The harms it posed, both to established and well-used local businesses and the local community, significantly outweighed the benefits of new housing. We do not believe the situation has changed and we hope the government Planning Inspector will feel the same way." 

Representations can be made directly to the Planning Inspectorate here: Planning Inspectorate Appeals using the search reference number 6004284. 

Councillor Mike Shirley
Portfolio Holder for Planning and Strategic Growth