Country Park Could Replace Pitches Plan

A new country park could be created on the Wellington Place estate in Market Harborough.

Developers want to use five acres of land off Leicester Road that was previously earmarked for sports pitches.

Davidsons Group say the facility would make a better contribution to the area, with the pitches plan proving difficult.

The land earmarked for the country park

Documents submitted to Harborough District Council say ‘significant retaining structures’ would be needed to use the land as pitches as the site slopes, while fencing needed ‘would not form a good neighbour’ for the surrounding homes.

The developer adds parking for the facilities would put pressure on nearby roads, while funding would be provided for sports provision ‘off site’.

The plans for the country park include surfaced and unsurfaced pathways, seating and bins, plus areas suitable for ‘a kick-about’.

A planning statement says: “The new proposal for the country park gives somewhere the community can enjoy and use freely in an informal setting.”

Davidsons have applied for permission to change the use of the area and the council will now consider the application.