This week in North West Leicestershire:

Homes for Self-Builders Approved Amid Heritage Concerns

The Planning Committee has given the go-ahead for five self-build homes in Coleorton, despite concerns raised by heritage bodies about the impact on the nearby Grade II* Registered Park and Garden of Coleorton Hall. The decision highlights the council's commitment to addressing the significant unmet demand for self-build plots, a duty mandated by the Self-Build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015.

The application, for land to the rear of The Brambles on Lower Moor Road, was granted Permission in Principle (PIP)[^1]. This means the principle of building homes on the site has been established, with detailed plans to be approved later. While the site is designated as countryside, conflicting with Policy S3 of the Local Plan, the report noted that the public benefit of meeting the demand for self-build housing was a significant consideration.

Concerns were voiced by the NWLDC Conservation Officer, Historic England, and the Gardens Trust regarding potential harm to the historic setting of Coleorton Hall. Leicestershire County Council's Ecology team also flagged the absence of a protected species survey. However, the report suggested that any harm to the heritage asset would be less than substantial and would be weighed against the pressing need for self-build housing.

The report recommended PERMIT, subject to conditions to be addressed at the technical details consent stage. This decision aims to balance development needs with the protection of local heritage.

You can find more details about this decision in the Planning Committee meeting documents.

New Homes and Care Homes: Planning Decisions

The Planning Committee also considered proposals for new housing and a change of use for a property to become a children's care home.

Single-Storey Dwelling in Hugglescote

Full planning permission was recommended for a single-storey detached dwelling on land to the rear of 46 Garfield Road, Hugglescote. This site falls within the Limits to Development in both the North West Leicestershire Local Plan and the Hugglescote and Donington le Heath Neighbourhood Plan. Neighbours had raised concerns about highway access, parking, waste collection, and flood risk. However, the County Highway Authority raised no objections, and Leicestershire County Council's Ecology team also approved, subject to conditions for biodiversity enhancement. The recommendation was to PERMIT, subject to conditions, including those related to approved plans, materials, landscaping, and biodiversity.

Children's Care Home in Thringstone

A full planning application for the change of use of a dwellinghouse at 81 Main Street, Thringstone, to a children's care home for up to three young people was also on the agenda. The proposal included converting the garage into an additional lounge and increasing on-site parking. This application was called to committee due to concerns about the property's location between business premises and the potential cumulative impact of similar facilities in the area. Neighbours had expressed worries about increased parking, congestion, and noise. The report recommended PERMIT, subject to conditions, including those limiting the number of children and staff and requiring the provision of increased on-site parking before the use commences.

You can find more details about these decisions in the Planning Committee meeting documents.

Other Matters

Two scheduled meetings of the Determination Sub Committee on Monday 13 April 2026 were cancelled. These meetings were intended to consider allegations of a failure to observe the code of conduct and potentially exclude the press and public from proceedings.

The Taxi and Private Hire Sub Committee meeting scheduled for Friday 17 April 2026 was also cancelled. The agenda included the election of a chair and the consideration of a dual driver's licence application, which was expected to involve exempt information.

This week, the North West Leicestershire council held two key meetings: the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, and the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday, 27 June 2024. Below are the details and decisions made during these meetings.

Cabinet Meeting - 25 June 2024

The Cabinet meeting included a verbal report on the discussions from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23 May 2024. The focus was on corporate complaints, with the Customer Services Team Manager presenting data on the number of complaints made against council staff.

The Committee noted:

The data did not show a meaningful decrease and wondered what might be done to improve this in the future.
Minutes of the meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on May 23rd 2024. p.2

The Chair requested that future reports track complaint data month-by-month and compare this data with previous years to better assess the impact of seasonal factors on complaint frequency. This approach aims to provide a clearer picture of trends and areas needing improvement.

Community Scrutiny Committee - 27 June 2024

The Community Scrutiny Committee met to discuss their work programme for the coming year and to review the final draft of the Annual Scrutiny Report. Both items were agreed to be taken forward to the next council meeting.

Annual Scrutiny Report

The Annual Scrutiny Report is a summary of the committee's work over the past year. It highlights key areas of focus and the outcomes of various initiatives and reviews undertaken by the committee.

Work Programme

The committee also discussed the Work Programme for the coming year. An important addition was made to the September meeting agenda to cover the impact of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in Coalville town centre. Councillor Wyatt proposed that the report also cover the economic impact of the PSPO on local businesses.

Can we ask that the September report also cover the economic impact of the PSPO on businesses in the town centre?
Councillor Wyatt

This proposal received unanimous support from the committee, indicating a strong interest in understanding both the social and economic effects of the PSPO.

Understanding Your Local Government

The meetings this week provide a good opportunity to understand the structure and function of local government. The Cabinet is responsible for making key decisions and setting the strategic direction of the council. It is composed of senior councillors who oversee various departments and services.

The Community Scrutiny Committee, on the other hand, reviews and scrutinises decisions made by the Cabinet and other council bodies. It ensures accountability and transparency, providing a check on the council's activities and policies.

By tracking and discussing issues such as corporate complaints and the impact of PSPOs, these committees aim to improve the quality of services and the well-being of the community. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of these committees can help residents engage more effectively with their local government and contribute to the decision-making process.

Stay tuned for more updates on the decisions and discussions that shape North West Leicestershire.