Step forward in plans for new country park

Plans to create a country park as part of a 450-home development in Leicestershire have been submitted.

New housing, a children's play centre, outdoor sports pitches and a local centre were first approved for the Manor Farm scheme, between Market Harborough and Lubenham, in 2015.

Swathes of housing have since been built but developer Davidsons has now applied for permission to build a five-acre country park in place of the promised pitches.

Planning documents submitted to Harborough District Council said "significant retaining structures" would have been needed as the site set aside slopes, while fencing needed for the sports pitches "would not form a good neighbour" for the homes.

The documents add parking for the facilities would put pressure on nearby roads.

Davidsons said the new proposals "make a better contribution" to the Manor Farm development, adding funding would be provided for sports provision "off site".

The plans include surfaced and unsurfaced pathways and "informal areas suitable for a 'kick-about'", said Davidsons.

A planning statement said: "The new proposal for the country park gives somewhere the community can enjoy and use freely in an informal setting."

Harborough District Council will consider the proposal in due course.

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