Land Adj Handford Rugby Road Lutterworth Leicestershire

1. 1.The National Planning Policy Framework seeks for planning decisions to ensure that new development is appropriate for its location taking into account the likely effects of pollution on health and living conditions. The lack of baseline air quality data in the form of an 'air quality impact assessment' and layout information fails to demonstrate that the residential 'land use' of the site would be acceptable in this 'location' without resulting in significant adverse impact on the living conditions of future occupiers of the proposed dwelling/s or neighbour amenity impacts resulting from mitigation measures if required, and is in conflict with Policy GD1 of the Harborough Local Plan and Chapters 2, 8, 12 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
2. 2.The National Planning Policy Framework seeks for new development not to be adversely affected by unacceptable levels of noise pollution and avoid noise giving rise to significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life where it cannot be mitigated. In the absence of baseline noise data or information relating to layout and design or required noise mitigation measures, the proposal fails to demonstrate that residential 'land use' in this 'location' can be delivered without giving rise to significant, unacceptable harm in terms of impact on the character and appearance of the area or neighbouring amenity of future occupiers of the host dwellings and existing neighbours, particularly with respect of resulting layout and design of the proposed dwellings and/or noise mitigation solutions necessary to secure acceptable living standards (including outside private amenity areas), as required by Policies SS1, GD2, GD8 and H5 of the Harborough Local Plan and Chapters 2, 8, 12 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework. 26/00444/PIP - Permission in Principle for the erection of a minimum of 1 and maximum of 5 dwellings - Land Adj Handford, Rugby Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.
3. 3.The 'amount of development' resulting from delivery of up to 5 dwellings in this 'location' would be out of character with the prevailing pattern of existing residential development in the area, which adopts a street facing orientation, following the linear route of Swinford Road, set within generous plots. Conversely, the delivery of up to 5 dwellings, will result in a dense form of development not characteristic of the area which is also likely to introduce an element of back land which fails to respond to its surroundings. The constrained nature of the site also limits opportunities to mitigate noise impacts from the A4303 (Lutterworth Road), potentially to the detriment of the existing natural landscaping features which characterise the site and contribute to the soft edge of the site, contrary to Policies SS1, GD2, GD8 and H5 of the Harborough Local Plan and Chapters 2, 12 and 15 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Development Planning Manager 26/00444/PIP - Permission in Principle for the erection of a minimum of 1 and maximum of 5 dwellings - Land Adj Handford, Rugby Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

From the council's decision notice.

Date validated

30 March 2026