East of Ashby Lane, Bitteswell, LE17 4SQ

Planning appeal 3372255 at East of Ashby Lane, Bitteswell, LE17 4SQ (Harborough District Council) was dismissed on 12 December 2025 by Inspector Hickey A, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development.

the proposal is for the erection of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 9 dwellings of which a minimum of 1 will be a serviced plot for self/custom build

Authority: Harborough District Council
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Hickey A
Postcode: LE17 4SQ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

Whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use, and the amount of development

What decided it

The significant harm to rural character and the function of the Area of Separation designation, when weighed against the modest housing benefits of a small scheme, significantly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits under paragraph 11(d)(ii) of the Framework.

The modest housing benefits and economic benefits of delivering up to nine dwellings weighed against the significant harm to character and appearance and the function of the Area of Separation; the adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, so the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy SS1Policy GD2Policy GD4Policy GD6Policy GD8
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11

How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.