Land north-east of Kibworth Harcourt:

Savills and Andrew Granger & Co. have prepared these representations on behalf of Merton College and Leicester Diocesan Board of Finance in respect of their land interests to the north-east of the Kibworth Harcourt.

If the Harborough Local Plan 2011 - 2031 is to be found sound at examination, it must satisfactorily meet the four tests of soundness as set out in the NPPF. The Plan should be positively prepared, justified, effective, and consistent with national policy. In its current iteration and for the reasons set out in this correspondence, the Plan is considered unsound.

Our clients' land interest incorporates land to the north-east of Kibworth Harcourt. The site comprises a total site area of circa 182 hectares. An Illustrative Masterplan Framework demonstrating the extent of land ownership is enclosed.

The site is considered a suitable option for a possible reserve site. The site is capable of delivery for a strategic development area for circa 1,600 homes, employment uses, associated open space and a bypass, based on the Aspinall Verdi Residential Options Viability Interim Report (One) (April 2016).

The provision of a bypass at Kibworth has been a longstanding aim for the Council. Strategic mixed use development at Kibworth could be utilised to secure an appropriate level of developer funding towards the provision of a bypass at Kibworth. Our clients' land ownership is well placed to facilitate such a proposal.

Our clients' interests at Kibworth would contribute well to the achievement of sustainable development as per relevant guidance of the NPPF, including necessary economic, social, and environmental roles. Morevoer, the inclusion of strategic development area at Kibworth would be likely to increase significantly the robustness of the plan to providing more flexibility and a clear contingency to assist the Council in demonstrating an adequate housing land supply in the latter half of the plan period.