An East Midlands council has stated that plans to put up 2,750 new homes, along with community facilities, shops and employment space could bring in investment of up to £1 billion.
Harborough District Council said the 550-acre Lutterworth East Strategic Development Area would lead to new jobs, much-needed affordable homes and bring tens of millions of pounds in community benefits.
Lutterworth currently has a population of around 9,500 and Harborough District is required to build 10,512 new homes over the next 16 years.
The county council proposed the south Leicestershire scheme to help meet future housing needs, and stands to make £30 million selling land to the developers.
The plans were approved in July 2020, with almost half of the new homes expected to be built by 2031. South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa and Lutterworth Town Council had previously asked for a ministerial ‘call-in’ of the proposals, but the Secretary of State decided that was not necessary.
At the time Mr Costa said he was extremely disappointed with the Secretary of State’s decision, saying his many of his constituents were against elements of the plans.
The homes will go up on land east of the town and the M1, along with more than 250 acres of green space – approximately half of the site – two new primary schools and more than 50 acres of retail and employment space which could create around 2,500 jobs.
Harborough District Council said a new spine road would “significantly reduce the amount of traffic travelling through Lutterworth town centre”.
The council has now agreed what community benefits should be paid for by the developers through a Section 106 agreement.
Harborough District Council leader Coun Phil King said: “This development will provide a much-needed investment boost to the local economy, with job and training opportunities during construction.
“As well as providing vast amounts of open space, it will also provide homes to benefit many local families and, with 40 per cent of homes being affordable, help those struggling to afford their own home, a place to live.
“This will create thousands of new jobs locally so more people can work closer to where they live, reducing their travel impact on the environment and climate.
“It will also deliver a site which could be used to accommodate a new leisure centre for Lutterworth should the existing sports centre reach its capacity.”
