‘Unacceptable’ 15-home plan sparks safety fears on ‘rat run’ village road near Coalville
Residents fear 15 new homes on a "notorious rat run"[1] would severely affect their quality of life. Developers insist the plans would provide "high quality housing" for the area, but it has left many in the area concerned. The plan, from Nick Harding and Joanne Tudor, centres on land currently occupied by numbers 137 and 139 in Church Lane, Whitwick, near Coalville.
The applicants intend to demolish the two homes and replace them with 15 new properties[2], seven of which will be three-bedroom homes. Concerns about the proposal run deep in Whitwick though, with several speaking out against it. One said: "The proposal will have a severe negative impact on the amenity, privacy, and quality of life of the existing residents.
These impacts are unacceptable." Planning documents reveal that the homes would be accessed off a new road built as part of the development, with the houses spread across the land. The homes would be a mixture of bungalows, detached and semi-detached homes[4] and all would come with parking of between two and three spaces each.
That has led to fears for existing traffic along Church Lane - a road which residents said was already a "notorious rat run". One opponent said: "The proposed road and the sheer number of resulting vehicles will dramatically increase the noise and disturbance. This proposal will amplify concerns towards a road notorious as a 'rat run' and one that pedestrians will become increasingly fearful of using."
Each home would come with multiple parking spaces (Image: Julian Owen Associates Architects)Highways officials at Leicestershire County Council have raised no traffic safety concerns[5] for the plan, but have said a full judgement on the scheme is being undertaken.
That has not stopped many from voicing worry though. A second resident said: "Church Lane is heavily congested with cars and parking, increased traffic of 30+ cars will not help." A third said: "The traffic congestion will accumulate on already heavily congested Church Lane. This excessive traffic congestion will potentially cause an accident black spot with peoples lives at risk."
Despite the worries, Mewies Engineering Consultants Ltd, on behalf of the applicants, said the site was "safe". It said: "A highway safety issue does not exist and the local highway network operates in a safe manner. [It] would not impact upon the safe operation of the local highway network." The developers also believe that the homes would be of "high quality" and fit in with the area, while also providing an "economic and social role" by creating jobs during construction and homes to meet demand.
A decision will be made by North West Leicestershire District Council[6] at a later date.
References
- ^ "notorious rat run" (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ replace them with 15 new properties (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ Flats plan for historic village church set for approval despite fears over lack of parking (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ mixture of bungalows, detached and semi-detached homes (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ no traffic safety concerns (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
- ^ North West Leicestershire District Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)