Plan for homes at golf centre approved after appeal

A government planning inspector has approved plans for 200 homes to be built on a golf range, after the proposal was initially rejected.

Blaby District Council's planning committee voted to reject the plans for a large proportion of Blaby Golf Centre in July 2025.

Councillors decided the scheme would be "harmful to the local area rather than beneficial" after concerns were raised over the pressure the new homes could place on local services.

But developer Hallam Land Management (HLM) appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, which ruled in its favour, saying the project would make a "substantial contribution" to housing needs.

The 16-acre Lutterworth Road site also hosts other businesses including a dance school, gym, boutique and beauty salon.

As a consequence of HLM's appeal, a public inquiry lasting several days took place before a planning inspector in May this year.

Allowing the appeal, planning inspector John Longmuir said the development would do "very little harm" to the Green Wedge, a planning designation designed to stop urban sprawl and maintain open land.

He also noted the golf course operator had 13 years left on the lease and highlighted that the golf range itself was running at a loss.

Outlining the planning benefits of allowing the scheme, Longmuir said: "There is a pressing need to find further land for housing and the 200 dwellings here would be a substantial contribution.

"The new dwellings would help towards the growing needs of the local community, providing a range of new homes."

The district council's portfolio holder for planning, strategic growth and environment, Mike Shirley, said: "We are disappointed the planning inspector has allowed the appeal and given permission for this housing scheme to go ahead.

"We feel that the planning inspector's decision is short sighted and conflicts with the long-term aspirations of the recently published Local Plan, which is now out for public consultation.

"However, we must now work with the developer to ensure the approved scheme brings about the benefits of recreation and connectivity, employment and enterprise which have been proposed."

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