Inspector Overturns Council Refusal For New Homes In Market Harborough
Written by HFM News on 6th October 2026
A planning inspector has given the go-ahead for new homes off Leicester Road in Market Harborough.
The decision overturns Harborough District Council’s refusal of the scheme for up to nine houses.
The council had refused the application for land between the Forest Gate garage and Greenacres Park over concerns about highway safety, as well as the impact on the nearby Grand Union Canal Conservation Area.
However, the Inspector concluded the site was suitable for residential development in principle.
A planning inspector has given the go-ahead for new homes off Leicester Road.
On highway safety, the Inspector acknowledged concerns about visibility for vehicles leaving the site onto the B6047, but said these issues could potentially be resolved at the next stage of the planning process.
This could include securing land needed for visibility splays or putting a detailed management agreement in place.
The Inspector also found there was not enough evidence at this stage to demonstrate that the development would harm the canal conservation area or the historic ridge and furrow.
The permission in principle is for between five and nine homes, with a technical details application needing to be submitted within three years.
Detailed plans for the development will still need to be submitted and approved before any homes can be built.
