Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at: Development Control and Regulatory Board meetings - YouTube

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 June 2025 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 35.

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

Mr. B. Lovegrove CC declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in agenda item 7 - North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road and stated that he would leave the room for that agenda item.

Mr. A. Innes CC declared that he was a resident of the Melton Mowbray area and the local member for the Melton East division but would remain in the room for item 7.

The Chief Executive reported that no petitions had been received under Standing Order 36.

(Mr. Lovegrove CC, having declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, left the meeting during consideration of the application.)

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive, a copy of which, marked ‘Agenda Item 7’, is filed with these minutes.

In accordance with the procedures for making representations to the Board, Janna Walker, Assistant Director, Leicestershire County Council, spoke as the applicant.

The local member Mr. A. Innes CC raised queries about the following issues:

·        The measures within the scheme to deal with flood water;

·        The re-routeing of the shared cycle/footway along the proposed Lag Lane bridleway and the level of consultation with local residents;

·        The level of consultation that had taken place with elected members about the proposed changes to the scheme since the original planning permission was granted.

In response to the latter query, it was explained that the Leicestershire County Council Cabinet had been kept informed of the rising costs of the scheme, had considered a report which highlighted the need for value engineering to improve the cost effectiveness of the scheme, and Cabinet had supported the changes to the scheme in principle (whilst noting that planning permission could only be granted by the Development Control and Regulatory Board).

In response to further questioning, reassurance was given that although efforts had been made to reduce the cost of the scheme, safety was still paramount.  Whilst the amended proposals did not meet the national guidelines in all respects, the function and safety of the road had not been compromised.

With regards to flooding and concerns raised by members about the proposed reduction in the size and depth of the proposed balancing ponds given the increase in extreme weather that had been seen recently, reassurance was given that the Lead Local Flood Authority (Leicestershire County Council) had reviewed the proposals and were satisfied with the drainage scheme as a whole.

In response to a question from a member, it was explained that the single carriage road would have the capacity to manage the expected demand on the road. The modelling indicated that a dual carriageway was not required.

RESOLVED:

That the application be permitted subject to the conditions nos. 1-24 as set out in the Appendix to the report.

(Note: Mr. Lovegrove CC then returned to the meeting).

The Board considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport, a copy of which, marked ‘Agenda Item 8’, is filed with these minutes.

In response to a question from a member it was confirmed that Tree Officers regularly surveyed trees in Leicestershire, and were there to be a breach of a Tree Preservation Order and unauthorised works to trees carried out, legal proceedings could be commenced, resulting in fines of up to £20,000.

RESOLVED:

That the confirmation of the Leicestershire County Council (Roman Way, Market Harborough) Tree Preservation Order 2025 (No. 487) be approved.

The Board considered a report of the Chief Executive, a copy of which, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.

The Chairman announced that the next meeting of the Board would take place on Thursday 7 August 2025 at 2.00pm.