Richborough Estates were appointed by Leicestershire County Council to promote land it owns at Station Road, Ibstock. Ibstock is a large village of around 5,500 people and has a good range of local facilities in close proximity to Station Road.
The site which amounts to 6.63 hectares (16.36 acres) comprises 3 fields of pasture forming part of Valley Farm which is a County Council owned dairy farm. The dairy farm will remain and Richborough Estates are working alongside the County Council and the tenant farmer to ensure that the development of the land fronting Station Road will not affect the farm’s operational needs.
A planning application was submitted in November 2013 for the development of 142 dwellings, comprising 114 houses for open market sale and 28 affordable homes. Access from Station Road is to be gained from a new roundabout which will also act to reduce traffic speeds along Station Road. The layout allows for the retention of most of the existing hedgerows and allows for the formation of large areas of public open space both throughout the housing area and in an area of land adjacent to the existing recreation area. In total the amount of public open space being provided is over 6 hectares (15 acres) which will represent a significant benefit to both the existing community and to the new residents. The proposals also allow for the creation of a substantial area of woodland planting as a contribution to the National Forest within which the site is located.
The application went to Planning Committee on 11th March and was approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement. The application generated only 5 letters of objection which largely reflected the considerable efforts Richborough Estates had expended to consult with the local community and with the planning officers and statutory consultees prior to submitting the application.
Once the Section 106 Agreement has been completed and further site investigations have been carried out to discharge certain pre-commencement conditions, the site will be marketed for sale by Strutt and Parker on behalf of the County Council and Richborough Estates.