A Labour group motion to have Meadow Lane reinstated into the local plan will go before North West Leicestershire District councillors next week - and if successful, could see 400 houses built in that area.

The move encourages the prospect of making the area available for new homes saying 'the site was placed first in the hierarchy for housing development in the area'.

But the motion was referred by last month's Full Council last month and is due to be discussed at Tuesday's Local Plan Committee meeting - with Whitwick councillor, Peter Moult, proposing the motion.

The meeting will hear that an alternative site that has been identified is Coalville's Broom Leys Farm, which could take some of the homes that were planned for Meadow Lane.

The agenda says: "In the case of site C76 - Meadow Lane, the assessment by officers noted that the site records one of the best scores in the Coalville Urban Area with, good access to services and facilities, and, after careful consideration, they reached a conclusion, that the site was placed first in the hierarchy for housing development in the area.

 "A rejection increases the likelihood of the council losing the appeal, potentially, this could leave the Council in the position that the new local plan submission could be rejected, potentially leaving North West Leicestershire open to widespread development.

 "It is important that proper consideration has been given and that we are certain that we have attained the best outcome for the entire community within the District."

Labour councilor Peter Moult will propose the motion. Photo: Supplied

When the motion went before Full Council last month, Deputy Leader Cllr Michael Wyatt hit out at the move.

said: "I condemn the Labour motion going to full council - which is nothing but political mischief making and a deliberate attempt to overturn a democratic vote taken by the committee to remove Meadow Lane from the list of potential sites for development."

Cllr Wyatt added: "The reasons given to remove Meadow Lane from development are sound and valid. There is a Site of Special Scientific Interest within the area in question, the environment agency recently published flooding alerts on this piece of land, unacceptable levels of traffic affecting the local community, and the destruction of a site within the Charnwood forest area. The list is endless."

But a North West Leicestershire Labour group spokesperson added: "People need decent homes to live in, and near to where they work. Local schools, leisure, health, and shopping are important issues for consideration when seeking a new home. All Governments know that Councils don't do all the building for new homes, but they are required by UK law to identify land for future needs.

"We live in a 'developer-led' society. Landowners and developers are required to persuade councils that their land should be developed to provide for a growing population. NWLDC Planners and Councillors are now considering where houses and workplaces should be built in NWL up to the year 2042.

"A site off Meadow Lane was identified by the planners as a site, within the Coalville Urban Area, with good access to services and facilities. After careful consideration, Planners concluded that the site should be ranked first for housing in the Coalville area. The Meadow Lane site could provide around 400 new homes.

"A specific objection from a ward Councillor to remove the Meadow Lane homes from the Local Plan has created a problem. Land elsewhere now needs to be found to meet the area's future needs. 

Cllr Michael Wyatt has publiclly opposed the motion. Photo: NWLDC

"At Tuesday's meeting, Councillors will be looking for alternative sites in NW Leics. One site that has been identified is Coalville's Broom Leys Farm, which could take some of the homes that were planned for Meadow Lane. An additional site at Ashby's Packington Nook adjacent to the A42 is also being considered for future development.

"The Local Plan Committee will debate a motion to reinstate the Meadow Lane site on the 11th March. If it is agreed, it will allow the Planners to continue detailed investigation of the land's suitability for 400 new homes.

"UK Planning law requires our Council to have a 'robust Local Plan' approved by the UK Government. NWL must present its agreed Local Plan for 2024-2042 to a Government Planning Inspector by mid-2026. If the Council cannot come up with a Plan that meets Government standards, we could end up with no Plan at all. Developers would then be free to build whatever they wish and wherever they like.

"As Councillors and residents, we sometimes have to put our personal preferences aside for the good of the whole community. Labour Councillors understand that any new development is contentious. We also know that people need homes and jobs for their children, not just this year but in the years to come. We need to build for the future. "Elsewhere" is not an option."