Unhappy councillors have no option but to pass unpopular plans

VILLAGE FARMLAND HAS BEEN SITE OF 11-YEAR PLANNING FIGHT

- By JULIA BREENS

COUNCILLORS have reluctantly voted for a controversial 120-home village estate to move forward after saying they had "no other options".

Davidsons Homes can now start work on the homes at Ashfield Farm, on Kirkby Road in Desford, after detailed plans for the site were approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's planning committee.

In August, members voted to defer a decision on the application - which details the layout of the scheme along with the size of the homes - after voicing a number of concerns.

Councillors were worried about the distance between the new homes and existing homes on Cambridge Drive in the village, but were also unhappy with the number of private roads that would not be adopted by Leicestershire County Council.

At the committee's latest meeting, members heard the layout met the council’s guidelines for the separation of properties and was considered “acceptable”.