Land of Moira Road

Ashby de la Zouch

Family-owned Cameron Homes seeks your views on proposals for residential development on land at Moira Road, Ashby de la Zouch.

The site comprises small field enclosures in agricultural use (pastoral).

The site is located to the west of Ashby de la Zouch. The north of the site is bordered by Moira Road and a residential property, to the east by recently constructed homes along Philip Bent Road and to the south and west by open countryside. Woodside Farm lies beyond the south west corner of the site.

There are a number of constraints present as follows:

• Hedgerows and hedgerow trees are located along the site’s northern and southern boundaries
• A collection of agricultural outbuildings are located to the eastern site boundary
• The amenity of existing residents adjacent to the site, including Moira Road and Philip Bent Road
• A ditch course runs along the western and southern site boundaries
• The site lies within the River Mease Catchment.

There are a number of opportunities present as follows:

• The majority of existing hedgerows can be retained and strengthened
• 8m offset along the west and south to the top of the ditch bank which provides an area of biodiversity enhancement and an appropriate transition from the town to the countryside
• Ability to deliver 10% BNG
• Contribute to the need for 2 and 3 bedroom properties within the District
• Provide affordable housing for the area, particularly addressing the areas shortfall of 1 bedroom affordable properties.

Government Policy
The Government requires local planning authorities to have an up-to-date local plan to shape how land use and places will change and develop in the future. The planning system is intended to be genuinely plan-led.

Local plans are required to provide a positive vision for the future of each area; a framework for addressing housing needs and other economic, social and environmental priorities; and a platform for local people to shape their surroundings. Local plans must support the delivery of enough homes to meet housing needs.

Housing needs for a particular local authority area are established through a standard formula set by the Government.

North West Leicestershire Planning Policy
The Development Plan for the area comprises the North West Leicestershire Local Plan and the Ashby de la Zouch Neighbourhood Plan.

North West Leicestershire District Council Local Plan was adopted in November 2017 and provides a strategy from 2011 to 2031. Following a partial review in February 2018, an amended Local Plan was adopted by the Council in March 2021.

The Council is currently in the process of formulating a new Local Plan.

The Ashby de la Zouch Neighbourhood Plan 2011-2031 was ‘made’ in November 2018. The Plan provides a vision for the future of the community and sets out clear policies to realise this vision. The plan adds local detail to broader planning policy.

This site is adjacent to Ashby de la Zouch settlement boundary, making it a logical and sustainable location for future housing growth aligned with the Government’s ambition to deliver 1.5 million homes in the next 5 years.

Homes
The proposal includes the construction of up to 35 new homes ranging in size to meet needs of first-time buyers, couples and families, recognising the need for 2 and 3 bedroom properties within the District.

The housing mix would include a range of high-quality detached, semi detached and terraced homes, including a number of bungalows suited to older people. 30% homes are proposed as affordable in line with current policy requirements.
Each proposed dwelling will have on-plot car parking with a minimum of 2 allocated spaces for every property and provision for cycle storage. All homes will be built to the latest building regulations and designed to reduce energy uses. In addition, all homes will be provided with Electric Vehicle chargers.

Access
It is proposed to access the site via a new T-junction formed off Moira Road. Private drives will serve small clusters of up to 6 homes.

Pedestrian connectivity is provided via a new footway along Moira Road to tie in with existing provision by the bus shelter.

Open Space
New open space is proposed along the western and southern boundaries, including a landscaped site entrance. An 8m buffer around the western and southern boundaries will successfully function as a transition into the open countryside, protection from existing watercourse and a biodiversity corridor.

Hedgerows will have to be removed to make way for primary access, associated visibility splays and accommodate the primary road. All other trees and hedgerows will be retained and there will be new tree and hedgerow planting throughout the new development, especially to reinforce the northern boundary.

Drainage
Any application would be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment and drainage strategy.

Initial evidence indicates that the drainage strategy would utilise an attenuation pond, a type of Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS), within the southern extent of the site. This has been shown with an 8m offset to the ditch course and is outside of the area identified as being at risk of surface water flooding.

Local Infrastructure
As part of this application process health, education and other local infrastructure providers will be consulted. Financial contributions are likely to be required by these providers towards improvements to local infrastructure.

These contributions will be secured through a legal agreement. Any on site infrastructure or off-site financial contributions will be finalised through the planning application following discussions with North West Leicestershire District Council.

The design of the proposal has been developed to respond to the identified constraints and opportunities including the presence of trees and hedgerow habitat, long-distance views of the site and the need to respect the amenity of residents, including existing neighbours to Moira Road, Philip Bent Road and Abbey Drive.

The key design principles are as follows:

Masterplan

Cameron Homes is preparing an outline planning application for the site.

An outline planning application establishes the broad principle of development, such as the number and mix of new homes, open spaces, illustrative masterplan and access arrangements.

We would welcome your comments and feedback via our questionnaire below as we finalise our outline plans ready for submission to North West Leicestershire District Council.
Once the planning application is submitted, there will be further opportunity to comment through the Statutory Consultation conducted by the Council as it considers the outline planning application.

If outline consent is granted, a detailed planning application would be prepared called a Reserved Matters application. This would include more detail such as architecture, materials, detailed layout and landscaping, and would be subject to further consultation with the local community prior to submission of the application.

This would provide the community with another opportunity to provide input to ensure that the detail of the new development further reflects local needs and aspirations.

We would welcome your comments on any part of the development proposals. To send us your comments, please complete the short questionnaire below.
These must be returned by 17th June 2025.

Alternatively, you can email your comments to info@evolvepad.co.uk or send your comments by post to EVOLVE.

We will consider all the feedback and suggestions as part of this consultation and use them to help shape the proposals for this site. An outline planning application will then be submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council in Summer 2025. North West Leicestershire District Council will undertake a further consultation once an application is submitted.

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