Plans for dozens of homes in Wymeswold village have been given the green light despite neighbours’ fears about increased flooding.
Charnwood Borough Council’s Plans Committee approved proposals for 53 new houses in Wymeswold during a meeting on July 23.
The application, submitted by Allison Homes East Midlands Ltd, would involve agricultural land east of the village being developed into a new estate.
Several neighbours to the site objected to the scheme, fearing it would exacerbate existing flooding problems in the village, which was significantly hit by Storm Henk in January 2024.
One resident, Rob Gay, wrote that there had already been “damage and inconvenience” to the community due to an “aged culvert system” handling demand it was “never designed to manage”.
Beth Lambourne, speaking on behalf of the applicant, addressed those concerns.
She said the flood risks had already been identified when a different developer previously secured planning permission for 45 homes on the land and that this had informed the design of the new scheme.
Members were told the proposed drainage strategy will actually reduce the run-off rate and will lead to the “overall betterment” of hydraulics in the area.
An independent review by the Local Lead Flood Authority (LLFA) concluded the build would not increase flood risk.
Ultimately, the vote in favour of the application was unanimous.
As part of a section 106 agreement, local health and police bodies and nearby schools and libraries had requested financial contributions from the developer exceeding £250,000.
However, officers warned the committee that aspects of this deal may not go ahead.
By Caitlin James, Local Democracy Reporter