Ashby Town Council raises highway safety concerns over Willesley holiday lodge plan

By Graham Hill

16th Apr 2024 | Local News

An artist's impression of how the new lodges would look if planning permission is granted. Images: North West Leicestershire District Council
An artist's impression of how the new lodges would look if planning permission is granted. Images: North West Leicestershire District Council

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has objected to plans for 10 new holiday units - and the part-conversion of an agricultural building to a wedding and function venue.

The scheme has been proposed at Hill Farm, Willesley Woodside, which is already home to the Hastings Retreat holiday homes next to the Hicks Lodge Cycle Centre, and applicants John and Dawn Jacques now want to add more facilities.

But the Town Council says its main objection is on the grounds of highway safety.

At last month's meeting of the council's planning committee, the scheme was met with opposition.

The Town Council has written to North West Leicestershire District Council and said: "Ashby de la Zouch Town Council objects to the attached planning application primarily on the grounds of highway safety - this application will impact on the surrounding roads resulting in potential road traffic accidents as there are many walkers and cyclists that use Hicks Lodge and the surrounding area. 

"This area is already very popular with visitors to Hicks Lodge and Willesley Lake, and parking at Hicks Lodge is already very restricted meaning cars often park along Willesley Woodside. 

"The Town Council also notes the comments made by the Environmental Health team at NWLDC and the potential risk to public health from the discharge of waste water into the ground or in any water course. 

"The Town Council is also concerned about potential noise pollution from the proposed wedding venue. 

"If this application were to be granted the Town Council would expect the following conditions, as per those highlighted by the Willesley Environment Protection Association, to be in place: 

  1. There shall be no playing of music and other amplified sounds within the site other than from within the building proposed for the holding of weddings and other events; 
  2. The building shall be kept closed whilst playing of music and other amplified sounds takes place, other than for the purpose of entry and exit; 
  3. The building shall be constructed such that noise transmission to the outside shall be minimised; 
  4. The venue, and any function for which it may be used, shall only operate between the hours of 12:00 noon and 11.00 pm; 
  5. The number of events throughout the year should be limited."

The Chair of WEPA (Willesley Environment Protection Association), Frank Bedford, also commented at the recent planning committee meeting in Ashby and made the group's objections known.

Another resident made clear that the extra traffic would make the road 'dangerous'.

     

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