Plans to build 80 new houses on land adjacent to Grange Road in Hugglescote have been rejected on the grounds of the grounds of highway safety.

The Cadeby Homes scheme formed part of a reserved matters application - which deals with outstanding details of the outline permission already granted. 

Although the application had already been deferred, North West Leicestershire District Council planners recommended that the scheme be given the go-ahead and a planning committee meeting held earlier this month.

But around 30 residents, who have already moved into completed properties in the area, objected to the plans and pointed out the danger of speeding vehicles along Grange Road - adding that the proposed entrance is 'blind' to traffic in both directions.

In a heated meeting, councillors raised concerns that the development would make it a 'landlocked' estate who would not be able to use the local amenities.

But comments that refusing the application would cost the council money if it were to be appealed by the developer, were described as 'appalling' by Labour councillor John Legrys.

The committee heard from a local resident who referred to the dangers of crossing Grange Road due to the amount of traffic and felt that the approval of the application would only exacerbate it.  

She referred to the assessment on the number of large goods vehicles that had been undertaken and challenged the accuracy as the result had been zero recorded - saying here own assessment undertaken that morning had resulted in 11 of them.  

It was added that the development's Masterplan stated that this site had a separate access and concerns were raised that the application deviated from it - and she urged members to refuse permission.

But Eleanor Overton, acting as agents for the developer, said that the applicant had met with planning officers, transport consultants and the Highways Authority to address the committee's previous concerns.  

Councillors were reminded that a Road Safety Audit was only required for the minor change to junction radius and that the Highway Authority were happy with the assessments undertaken by the applicant as well as the existing dropped kerb crossing.

It was their opinion that a puffin crossing - the successor to the pelican crossing - was not necessary.  

But it was also made clear that the proposals had gone above the requirements of the Highway Authority and that if refused, the applicant would appeal against the decision.

Ward member, Cllr Russell Johnson, who 'called in' the application, told the meeting of the dangers of crossing Grange Road and his disappointment that the originally proposed puffin crossing had been withdrawn.  

He emphasised the poor visibility and the difficulty for residents when attempting to cross, many residents being children going to school.

The map shows the plans for the new homes. Image: North West Leicestershire District Council/Pegasus

Cllr Johnson also felt this proposal would cause residents to be 'landlocked' in their homes unable to access the local amenities.  

He also had concerns that Heavy Goods Vehicles using the proposed construction access would be too dangerous and this application would go against the Council's carbon targets regarding pollution.

Councillors then debated the issue, and Independent councillor Rachel Canny said: "The main concern is the access both for construction traffic and going through the existing estate.

"That road is fast, the vehicles come very quickly.

"The most dangerous part of the road is the 40mph where the construction is going in and out.

"But permission has been given for these houses, I can't see another way around the existing estate, unless they're coming out by the nearby bridge which is also dangerous.

"I have sympathy overt the puffin crossing, but you can't argue with County Council Highways, they have not changed their mind. There's not much you can do about it.

"We have two options; we can refuse it, it will go to appeal and that'll cost the council a lot of money. It'll go through, but it'll take time.

"Or we permit it here."

However, Cllr Legrys responded by saying: "Crossing that road is a nightmare, I would not expect schoolchildren to do that. It's impossible. It's the Coalville Southern Bypass.

"It makes it a landlocked estate, and a cul-de-sac. That's not a good advert for people moving into our communities.

"I despair when I hear time and time again - and it really upsets me - that we can't make a decision 'because it'll cost us'.

"I think that's appalling. 

"We make a decision on this committee, based on local knowledge. Not how much it'll cost the council if it doesn't get passed. Thank you, before I lose my temper."

Labour councillor Peter Moult added: "I have to express my disappointment that a Road Survey Audit has not been carried out by County Council Highways.

"The police have made Grange Road as a road of concern for speeding traffic. That emphasises my disappoint with Highways.

"I took me two and half minutes to cross that road at lunchtime, not even the busiest time of the day. There's an accident waiting to happen there. I can't condone supporting this."

Conservative councillor Ray Morris added: "We have to stick to planning rules and regulations, a lot of this is out of our scope.

"I moved the application was deferred at the previous meeting. We needed a second look at it, we've done that. Developers have offered a speed sign - and they do work, as soon as it flashes red, the brake light goes on. The offer of that is to be welcomed and is important.

"The comments made by Highways must be largely correct."

But the committee voted six to five to refuse permission.