The Development Control and Regulatory Board convened on 7 August 2025, addressing key issues including a proposal to allow the back-hauling of low-grade gypsum from British Gypsum in Barrow-Upon-Soar, the construction of an anaerobic digestion plant at Marigold Farm in Great Bowden, and a request to extend the operating hours of the wash plant at Bardon Quarry to 24/7. The board approved the recommendations for all three applications, subject to conditions. Additionally, the board approved several other items, including the installation of a zebra crossing in Wymeswold, the appointment of suppliers for civils materials and hand tools, the appointment of Winter Service Solutions Ltd, a no right turn restriction near Sutton Lodge Farm, declaring land at Poole Farm surplus, selecting a preferred bidder for Birkett House in Wigston, and the creation of a Healthy Leicestershire Digital Solution.

Planning Decisions

Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK - British Gypsum, Barrow Works, Paudy Lane, Barrow-Upon-Soar

The board approved the variation of condition 7 to allow the back-hauling of low-grade gypsum from the British Gypsum, Barrow Works, stipulating that only gypsum with a quality of less than 70% can be exported on a back-haul basis using HGVs already bringing gypsum to the site. This decision aims to utilise approximately 10 million tonnes of low-grade gypsum that cannot be used by the adjoining plant, ensuring these reserves are not needlessly sterilised. The applicant, Saint-Gobain Construction Products UK Limited, stated that the low-grade gypsum would be transported to one of the company's plasterboard factories, predominantly at Sherburn-in-Elmet (North Yorkshire), but also at East Leake (Nottinghamshire).

Former member for Sileby & The Wolds ED, Mr Richard Shepherd objected to the application, requesting that the Planning Application be refused, citing concerns raised by residents and questioning British Gypsum's policy of a maximum speed of 40 mph for vehicles serving the Barrow Works.

The board reviewed the application against the Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (LMWLP), policies DM1, DM2 and DM7, which relate to sustainable development, local environment, community protection and sites of biodiversity interest, and policies DM9 and DM11, which relate to the transportation of mineral by road and cumulative impact.

Great Bowden Green Energy Ltd - Marigold Farm, Welham Road, Great Bowden

The board approved the proposal for an anaerobic digestion plant, associated infrastructure, lagoons, and feedstock clamps at Marigold Farm, subject to conditions. The plant would process approximately 40,000 tonnes of feedstock per annum, including poultry manure, maize, and straw, to generate biomethane for the National Gas Grid.

Great Bowden Parish Council objected to the application, citing concerns about traffic, air quality, odour, water pollution, flooding, landscape and heritage impact, ecology, and safety. Mr Neil O'Brien MP also objected, raising similar concerns.

The board reviewed the application against the Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031 (HLP) policies GD1, GD3, GD5, GD8, HC1, GI1, GI5, CC1, CC2, CC3, CC4, IN2, and the Great Bowden Neighbourhood Plan (GBNP) policies H2, H3, H6, T3, ENV6, ENV7, ENV8, ENV9, ENV10, EMP2.

Holcim UK Limited - Bardon Quarry, Bardon Road, Coalville

The board approved the variation of condition 57 of Planning Permission 2023/0032/07 to amend the operating hours of the wash plant at Bardon Quarry from 0600-2200 to 24/7 operation. The applicant, Holcim UK Limited, stated that the change is required to improve efficiency in the production of suitable aggregate for the asphalt plant.

The board reviewed the application against the Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (LMWLP) policies DM1, DM2, DM5, DM9, DM11, the North West Leicestershire Local Plan (adopted November 2017) policies D2, En6, the Hinckley & Bosworth Core Strategy (adopted December 2009) Policy 21, and the Hinckley & Bosworth Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD (adopted July 2016) policies DM1, DM7, DM17.

Other Decisions

Installation of a Zebra Crossing on East Road, Wymeswold

The board approved the installation of a new Zebra Crossing on East Road, Wymeswold, approximately 65m west of the junction with Orchard Way, and the relocation of two bus stops. The developer, Dandara Homes, proposed the crossing to comply with planning consent conditions related to pedestrian and highway safety.

Appointment of Suppliers for Civils Materials and Hand Tools Framework_25

The board approved the appointment of Denham Procurement & Sourcing Solutions Ltd and Huws Gray Ltd for Lot 1 (Civils Materials) and Cromwell Tools Ltd, Denham Procurement & Sourcing Solutions Ltd, Huws Gray Ltd, and TW Engineering Co Ltd for Lot 2 (Hand Tools) to the Civils Materials and Hand Tools Framework_25.

Appointment of Winter Service Solutions Ltd. to the contract: AUTOMATIC SPREADING WITH GPS NAVIGATION_2025

The board approved the appointment of Winter Service Solutions Ltd. to the contract for automatic spreading with GPS navigation, following a further competition under the YPO framework 750 Vehicle Telematics & Journey Recorders.

No Right Turn Restriction at the Junction of Fosse Way into the Layby off B4114 Coventry Road

The board approved the introduction of a no right turn restriction at the junction of Fosse Way into the Layby off B4114 Coventry Road (southbound) and on B4114 Coventry Road (northbound) into the Layby, near Sutton Lodge Farm. This restriction aims to ensure safe access and egress for all road users due to increased traffic volume from the new Anaerobic Digestion Biomass Power Plant at Sutton Lodge Farm.

Declaration of Land at Poole Farm as Surplus

The board approved the declaration of land at Poole Farm, Quorn, surplus to the council's requirements. The property comprises the farmstead buildings and farmyard (13 acres) and woodland and grazing (56 acres), excluding the land within the solar farm proposal.

Selection of Preferred Bidder for Birkett House, Wigston

The board approved the recommendation for the selection of a preferred bidder for Birkett House, Launceston Road, Wigston, following an informal tender process. The decision relates to a site of 1.81 acres.

Healthy Leicestershire Digital Solution

The board approved the commencement of a procurement exercise to develop and deliver digital solutions for Public Health, consolidating the existing online presence into one accessible and engaging ‘Healthy Leicestershire’ website and app. The spend for this procurement will exceed £500,000 over the life of the proposed contract.

Other Matters

The board also considered and noted the Delegated Decisions Schedule for April 2025 - June 2025 and the Delegated Tree Preservation Order decisions for January 2025 - June 2025.