Councillors have refused plans for the development of 12 homes in Blaby after the applicant failed to satisfy concerns about access for refuse and recycling collections.
An application for the demolition of the existing dwelling and construction of 12 houses at the rear of 43 New Street in Blaby was considered by councillors on Blaby District Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 24 November.
The proposal followed the refusal of an earlier application in 2021 for seven homes, which went to appeal with the Planning Inspectorate upholding the Council’s decision.
One of the Council’s reasons for the original refusal was due to the layout and design of the development, which would not allow refuse and recycling lorries access to the site to collect bins.
The proposals were also considered to lack any facilities to present waste bins at the boundary to the site.
This was considered “poor design” by the Council, which goes against the Blaby District Core Strategy (2013) and the Blaby District Local Plan (Delivery) Development Plan Document (2019).
It also conflicts with the aims and aspirations of the government’s National Planning Policy Framework.
Councillors considered the new plans, for 12 homes instead of seven, on a larger plot, had still not resolved the lack of access for refuse and recycling vehicles.
The intensification of the site, with the increase in houses, was also considered to be a problem, exacerbating issues in relation to distances to the adopted highway and the associated impacts on the street scene, residential amenities and restriction of pedestrian and vehicular movements.
Councillor Louise Richardson, chair of the Planning Committee, said: “When refusing the initial application, a decision which was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, we made it clear the development did not meet the standards required for us as a Council to carry out our statutory duties to empty residents’ bins.
“Our planning policies and Local Plan are clear that any new development needs to be accessible. If developers fail to take these important factors into account, we can and will refuse them, as in this case once again. This result is the best for the residents of Blaby and highlights our robust planning policies which protect the whole district from poorly designed development.”
