The North West Leicestershire Council Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on 14 October 2025 to discuss planning applications and other related matters. Among the items on the agenda are a retrospective application for the retention of underground gas tanks in Oakthorpe, and a proposal for extensions and alterations to a property in Shellbrook. The committee will also review the minutes from their previous meeting.

Home Farm Gas Tanks

The committee will consider a report regarding application 24/01236/FUL from Andrew Fort Estates Ltd for the retention of three underground LPG gas tanks on land at Home Farm, 25 Main Street, Oakthorpe. According to the report, the tanks serve a residential development of 28 houses. The application is retrospective, as the works were completed in July 2024, and has been submitted following an enforcement investigation by the council.

The application site is located outside the defined Limits to Development in the adopted Local Plan, within the River Mease Special Area of Conservation¹ and the Coal Mining High Risk Development Area. The Head of Planning and Infrastructure's report recommends that the committee permit the application, subject to conditions. These include:

• Adherence to approved plans
• Use of specified materials
• A timescale for fencing erection
• Retention of permeable surfacing

The report notes that two letters of representation have been received, raising concerns about safety, large vehicles accessing the site, and historic contamination.

The report states that several bodies, including the Environment Agency, Natural England, and the Health and Safety Executive, have raised no objections. The Leicestershire Footpath Association has advised that the council consider the safety of public footpath users.

The report assesses the application against various planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024, the adopted North West Leicestershire Local Plan (2021), and the Leicestershire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (2019). It concludes that the development is acceptable in principle, and that it does not give rise to significant concerns regarding residential amenity, visual impact, highway safety, flood risk, ecology, or public safety.

The report addresses concerns raised about health and safety, noting that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has advised that the proposal does not fall within its consultation remit, as the quantity of LPG stored is below the controlled threshold and the site is not within a major hazard consultation zone. The report also notes that amended plans have been submitted to secure green paladin fencing around the gas tanks, which is considered to be the most secure type of fencing.

Blackberry Cottage Extensions

The Planning Committee will also consider a report regarding application 25/00711/FUL from Mr John Gillespie for the demolition of an existing single-storey rear extension and the erection of a two-storey rear extension and single-storey rear extensions, as well as an outside kitchen and pergola at Blackberry Cottage, Moira Road, Shellbrook, Ashby De La Zouch. The plans also include alterations to front windows, replacement windows and a replacement front porch, as well as an extension to an existing outbuilding to form a home gym, and landscaping with retaining walls.

The application site is located outside the Limits to Development, as defined by the Policy Map to the adopted Local Plan (2021).

The Head of Planning and Infrastructure's report recommends that the committee permit the application, subject to conditions and subject to no contrary observations from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) . The conditions include:

• A standard time limit of three years for commencement of development
• Adherence to approved plans
• Use of specified materials
• Obscure glazing for west-facing roof lights
• Provision of a soakaway[^3] [^3]: A soakaway is a subsurface structure designed to infiltrate stormwater into the ground.
• Soft landscaping
• Tree protection measures
• Submission of levels plans

The report notes that two letters of representation objecting to the application have been received, raising concerns about residential amenity impacts, visual amenity and character of the area, the impact upon trees, biodiversity net gain, and other matters.

The report assesses the application against various planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024, the North West Leicestershire Local Plan (2021), and the Ashby Neighbourhood Plan (2018). It concludes that the development is acceptable in principle, and that it would not result in significant harm to the character of the area, residential amenity, highway safety, flood risk, or biodiversity.

The report addresses concerns raised about the impact on trees, noting that amended plans have been submitted to show replacement tree planting to mitigate the loss of four trees on site, and adequate tree protection during construction. The report also notes that the mandatory requirement for 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) under the Environment Act 2021 does not apply to householder applications such as this.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee will also be asked to confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2025.