Sport England has objected to plans for almost 1,000 new houses on the outskirts of Ashby.

The organisation says there are currently not enough sports facilities in the area to cope with the projected increase in population.

Sport England has made its views known to North West Leicestershire District Council following an application by developers to build 975 new homes off the A511 on the Bloor Homes/Taylor Wimpey Money Hill site.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has already compiled a detailed assessment of the scheme - highlighting a number of flaws.

This was presented to the council's planning committee on Monday night.

Sport England's objections were published last week and add to criticisms of the scheme.

It says that the extra demand for sports facilities would not be met - and suggests contributions from the developers could be made to improve them.

The response reads: "Sport England's planning objectives are to protect, enhance and provide opportunities for sport. Sport England raises a non-statutory objection to the application which would fail to meet the requirements of Section 8 of the NPPF which advises that any new sports facility needs arising as a result of the development should be met. 

"As such, there is a need for the development to provide either sustainable on-site sports facilities and/or provide enhanced off-site sports facilities that are fit for purpose.

"Further work is required to produce a Sports Strategy for the development as part of the Population and Human Health Chapter to include an assessment of the need for new and/or enhanced on and off-site sports provision which should be informed by any revisions to North West Leicestershire's Playing Pitch Strategy and any other relevant sports and health and wellbeing strategies for the area. 

"Evidence should also be provided of the demand and rationale for the mix of any sports facilities proposed and the management and maintenance arrangements for these sports facilities."

The scheme has planned for new homes on the A511 near Ashby. Image: NWLDC

Sport England's response also quotes the Football Foundation as saying: "There are 66 football teams in Ashby with no 3G pitch supply. Therefore, it is highly likely the emerging Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS) will show a need for at least one 3G AGP in the area. An off-site contribution towards a 3G AGP in the area would be beneficial."

It also quotes the England and Wales Cricket Board as saying: "Ancillary facilities at Ashby Hastings CC (Bath Grounds) is in need of improvement and their ground is within a 10 minute walk of the development."

And it has published a response from the Rugby Football Union which adds: "Ashby RFC – Pitch deficit of -5 which restricts mid-week training opportunities. Floodlights to 1 x pitch and 1 x training area would be required to address the demand from this additional population."

England Hockey says: "The population generated from the proposed housing development would impact on increasing hockey participation within the Ashby-de-la-Zouch areas. EH would request an off-site contribution towards the resurfacing of the Ivanhoe College hockey AGP and/or sports lighting LED improvements."