Homes plan on 'blind bend' opposite nursery sparks traffic fears

A plan for new homes opposite a Leicestershire nursery on a “blind bend” have sparked traffic safety fears. The developer has said the scheme would make use of existing “redundant” and “dilapidated” buildings.

The plan, put forward by Keith Baxter, seeks to gain outline permission for extensions to 139 and 141 High Street, and a barn conversion to their rear, in Ibstock, near Coalville. The proposal also looks to demolish a second barn, wall and outbuildings behind the existing properties, with six new homes taking their place. The scheme would result in nine homes being sited opposite Holmsdale Manor Nursery School.

Some residents have expressed concerns about increased traffic in High Street. One said the proposal would “undoubtedly” lead to more cars on what they said was a “congested road next to a blind bend”.

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The plan would see number 139 turned into a four-bedroomed home with one en-suite bathroom, while the barn to its rear would be converted into a two-bed, single storey home. Number 141 would be turned into a four-bed home with two en-suites, a study room and office, and separate lounges and living rooms.

Designs for the six new homes would normally be submitted after outline permission was granted, but Hayward Architects Ltd, on behalf of Mr Baxter, said they would be a mix of three, four and five bedrooms across the “spacious site”, with some having garages and others having carports between homes.

Existing access between numbers 139 and 141 would be maintained, but this has created concern given the site’s closeness to the nursery and High Street’s blind bend. One resident said they had “grave concerns” about the scheme, fearing the extra vehicles from the homes would add to existing congestion. A second said any increase in traffic would “undoubtedly have an adverse effect on High Street”, saying the entire length of High Street was already “congested and overcrowded”.

However, Hayward Architects Ltd said the new homes and extended existing properties were in a “sustainable” location and that the site would have “satisfactory access” for emergency vehicles. Highways officials said the scheme in its current form did not “fully assess” any impacts of the plan, but Hayward said a full access report would be provided if outline permission was granted for the scheme.

The developer said in the planning application that the scheme would be a “sustainable reuse” of buildings in the area and make use of a “dilapidated site”. Officials from North West Leicestershire District Council will make a decision at a later date.