New Homes Plan Set For Go-Ahead As Council Won’t Contest Appeal
Written by HFM News on 5th October 2026
Controversial plans for 85 new homes in Market Harborough are set for approval after Harborough District Council decided not to contest a planning appeal.
Councillors rejected the proposal for 85 houses on land between Farndale View and Farndon Fields earlier this year, going against the recommendation of planning officers.
Flooding was among the main concerns, with more than 130 people objecting to the application.
The developer Wates Manor Oak subsequently appealed the decision.
Campaigner say the site is prone to flooding
Harborough District Council says it has reviewed its position in light of the National Planning Policy Framework published in August, although a planning inspector will still have the final say on the matter.
A spokesperson said: “Having considered the relevant national planning policies, including Section 3, ‘Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development’, and Section 5, ‘Principle of Development Outside Settlements’, it has decided not to contest the appeal.
“The council’s decision has been published as a Written Record of Decision and is available on the council’s website.
“The Planning Inspectorate has scheduled the appeal to be determined by way of a written representations procedure. Representations previously submitted by interested parties will be available to, and taken into account by, the Planning Inspector as part of the appeal process.”
Cllr Darren Woodiwiss opposed the original application and blames Government planning rules for the council’s decision not to contest the appeal:
Cllr David Page also opposed the plans.
He said: “I am disappointed that Harborough District Council will not defend its refusal of the original Farndale View planning application following the developer’s appeal.
“I respect the professional judgement of our planning officers, but significant questions remain about flood risk and how the proposed access would be delivered across or involving council-owned land.”
Cllr Page also criticised wider changes to the planning system, saying: “Farndale shows why local scrutiny matters. If developments such as this come forward under the new system, residents and their elected representatives will have less influence over whether they receive that scrutiny.”
The developers have also submitted a second planning application alongside the appeal, which is still to be considered by the council.
