Final Approval Secured for 100 Homes at Former Ice Cream Factory Site

A proposal for the construction of 100 residences on the former premises of an ice cream factory has advanced. Local officials initially endorsed the Standard Hill project in Hugglescote, Leicestershire, during June, notwithstanding reservations regarding road safety. The development has now attained its conclusive authorization following the execution of a Section 106 agreement this week, which specifies the developer’s obligations to alleviate the project’s effects. EMH Group, the developer, committed to providing financial aid for local educational and public services, as well as funds for off-site National Forest planting and local open spaces. The forthcoming residences will comprise a combination of bungalows and two-story dwellings, with the scheme also incorporating modest green areas and a pond. As per the design, a solitary entry point will be situated near the crest of Standard Hill. Earlier, critics of the development characterized the site’s access point, located at the hill’s summit, as “dangerous” and warned that vehicles exceeding the speed limit would endanger pedestrians, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Certain members of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) reiterated these worries, stating their belief that the suggested mitigation measures were “sufficient”, and advocated for reinstating a 30mph speed limit across the full length of Standard Hill. However, planning officials diverged from this view, deeming more stringent speed limitations “not appropriate”. In the end, the councillors provided substantial support for the project. This is not the sole development planned for Standard Hill. Construction has commenced on a separate project for 400 residences, which received approval in 2018. Furthermore, a recent application was lodged with the council for the construction of a 66-bed care home on “vacant grassland” within the property, with access planned via a new spine road situated to the south of the broader area. For updates, connect with BBC Leicester on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Submit story proposals to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or through WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.