DLA Town Planning acts for The Owners of Market Harborough Land, the owner of Overstone Park.

We support, in principle, the allocation of the site at Overstone Park in Policy MH1. The site is suitable for residential development, is available for the proposed use and development is achievable within a relatively short period of time. The site is within single ownership and is not subject to planning or other constraints that would prevent development. The site is in a sustainable location on the edge of the largest settlement in the district.

The estimated capacity of the site at "about 600 dwellings" is supported and reflects the description of development provided as part of the current planning application. Alternative approaches to the site could see a lesser number of dwellings delivered but in our view this would represent a sub-optimal use of the site. In view of the scale of housing need in the district and the sustainability and suitability of the Overstone Park location, it is appropriate to maximise the use of the site, within the environmental parameters identified.

We have detailed comments to make on certain aspects of the policy (see separate representations) but we support the principle of the allocation.