GI3 1c.

William Davis Ltd objects to the proposed location of the Cemetery. Although the supporting Harborough District Cemetery and Burial Strategy highlights a future need for a location to serve the settlements of Harborough, Lubbenham, Foxton and Great Bowden, no alternative sites appear to have been assessed in formulating the proposal in the Pre-Submission Local Plan. It is therefore considered that the proposed site is not in accordance with paragraph 182 of the NPPF as it cannot be deemed justified, by virtue of the fact that there has been no reasonable analysis of alternatives.

The above considerations are of concern to William Davis Ltd as the company has acquired an interest in land in this area, to the east of Leicester Road Market Harborough, with a view to promoting strategic residential development here in the longer term (circa 110 Ha). Should the Local Plan allocate the currently identified site as a cemetery this could prejudice the future development potential of this area as the existing roundabout, at this location on Leicester Road, is the logical point of access. It is material to note that there are very few opportunities for strategic expansion in Market Harborough in the longer term due to flood plain to the South; the railway to the South-East; the A6 bypass to the East and adopted areas of separation and sensitive landscape to the west. This area to the North of the town, therefore, may be vital for sustainable future residential development and any proposals that could negatively affect this potential cannot be considered positively prepared as required by paragraph 182 of the NPPF.

We consider, therefore that Policy G13c should be amended to provide a non-site specific enabling policy for a cemetery to serve Market Harborough and suurounding villages pending further review of alternative options.