Leicestershire town set to swell by a tenth amid plans for third new housing estate

Fields separated by a fence and trees stretch off into the distance. A pavement is in the foreground.
-Credit: (Image: Google)


A Leicestershire town could see its population swell by more than a tenth after details for three new estates within half a mile of each other were revealed. Market Bosworth, which has a population of just over 2,000 people, is facing the possibility of up to 360 new homes being built in the town.

Residents learned last month that 138 houses could be built south of Station Road, on a site earmarked for housing in the town's local plan, with a further 100 homes announced just a week later on land off nearby Shenton Lane. Now, Richborough Homes, along with a number of partners, has made preliminary enquiries to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council (HBBC) about plans to build 130 homes on land north of Station Road.

The development would be next to the formerly disused Kyngs Golf and Country Club that is being brought back into use by Statue Homes, with a new hotel, holiday lodges and club house all approved by the council over the last few years. In a letter to the council by planning agent Fisher German, the applicants argue the developments taking place at the golf club will "create built form" to the north of the land they wish to build homes on and that as a result the site is "more enclosed".

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A planning application for the latest scheme is expected in due course, but the developer is currently only asking the council whether additional environmental assessments need to be carried out. Previous attempts were made to build on the land, with the council refusing schemes for 64 and 63 homes – the latter also being dismissed at appeal in 2022 – and a subsequent application for 105 homes being withdrawn in 2022.

Access to the development will be via an existing route off Station Road that leads to the golf club, and 40 per cent of the homes would be classed as affordable housing. The developers say half of the site will be public open space, while play areas and a community orchard and kitchen garden are promised.

Documents submitted to HBBC say the homes would be set back from Station Road, "retaining views across to the upper slopes and wooded area to the east". They add: "The open space provided alongside Station Road will retain the parkland character with open views across areas of grassland."

Information about the scheme, including documents submitted so far, can be viewed on HBBC's planning portal.

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