Plans for almost 3,000 homes and employment space for 2,500 people on fields close to the M1 motorway have been given the green light.
The Government has said it does not need to have the final word on the 550 acre proposed Lutterworth East development – meaning planning permission issued by the local council last year will stand.
Lutterworth East will eventually go up on land east of the south Leicestershire town and the M1, and include two new primary schools and employment space to create around 2,500 jobs.
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Despite going up on green fields, the scheme will not impinge on a Site of Special Scientific Interest known as Misterton Marshes, the River Swift and its tributaries, Thornborough Spinney, mature trees and hedgerows, Leicestershire County Council has said. Approximately half the site will be given over to green space.
It is expected that 1,260 of the new homes will be built by 2031 and the rest after 2031.
Harborough District Council said around 40 per cent of the new housing will be classed as affordable to help people struggling to find a property to buy or rent.
Last July, the county council’s plans for 2,750 new homes, community facilities and employment space were approved by the district council’s planning committee.
The county council proposed the scheme to help meet future housing needs, and stands to make £30 million selling land to the developers.
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The site is identified in the Harborough Local Plan as a key area to accommodate new growth in the district, known as Lutterworth East Strategic Development Area (SDA).
In September, South Leicestershire MP Alberto Costa and Lutterworth Town Council requested that the planning application be reviewed by Government.
But Harborough District Council has now been told that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP, would not be calling in the application.
A letter to the council, from the Secretary of State’s department, read: “The Government is committed to give more power to councils and communities to make their own decisions on planning issues, and believes planning decisions should be made at the local level wherever possible.
“In deciding whether to call in this application, the Secretary of State has considered his policy on calling in planning applications. This policy gives examples of the types of issues which may lead him to conclude, in his opinion, that the application should be called in.
“The Secretary of State has decided not to call in this application. He is content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.”
Councillor Phil King, leader of Harborough District Council, welcomed the decision.
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He said: “Now we have the Secretary of State’s decision not to call in this planning application, we are able to move forward, conclude the Section 106 agreement [where developers contribute to local amenities] and issue planning permission.
“This will provide much-needed investment boost to the local economy, with job and training opportunities during the construction phases.”
Mr Costa said he was extremely disappointed with the Secretary of State’s decision.
He said: “My constituents have spoken loud and clear in their opposition to elements of the Lutterworth East plans.
"While many of us will agree that more houses need to be built for local people, questions will remain as to whether Lutterworth East can truly be classed as a flagship development, as presently being touted by Leicestershire Council.
“With homes being built close to high voltage electricity pylons and yet more space for logistics businesses, just a mile away from Europe’s largest logistics park, I would encourage the county council to think long and hard about these plans and honour their promises to me and the people of South Leicestershire in reviewing the problematic elements of the Lutterworth East proposal.
“I am always in favour of appropriate development, however developers, including local authorities, must ensure that the views of local people are listened to and acted upon.
“Far too many developers think they can provide a consultation as a means of ticking a box without actually taking on board the views of local residents.
“The survey my office sent to residents last year was a clear indication of the strength of feeling my constituents have over these plans.
"I would invite senior councilors and officers from the county council to meet with me at the proposed East site to inform me as to the action they will be taking to address resident’s concerns.”