A controversial planning application for 298 homes on a contaminated former factory site are set to be discussed at a public meeting of planning officials tomorrow night (Thursday).
The application submitted by Worthearly Ltd is for redevelopment of the former Jeld Wen site in Snow Hill in Melton to provide 298 dwellings.
Documents submitted to the committee suggest that the application is approved despite the land being contaminated as a result of its historic use and the developer refusing to contribute to the local community as a result of the contamination on site.
In the report submitted to Melton Borough Council's Planning Department say that any contributions to highways, education, affordable housing and the NHS would render the scheme unviable.
It says: "The assessment of the submitted information was based on that information submitted as well as dialogue with the company who prepared the submitted appraisal. The independent assessment of the submitted appraisal found that taking account of the contributions sought, the development would not be financially viable, and cannot at the present time make contributions to mitigate the impacts of the development."
It goes on to say: "It is regrettable that a development of this size, in close proximity to the town centre of Melton Mowbray cannot at this time make financial contributions to mitigate its wider impacts. However, this is not wholly unsurprising, given the levels of contamination on the site considering its past use and the significant costs of remediation to enable the development of the site."
The initial affordable housing proposal as part of the plans has been scrapped too due to the land contamination and associated cleaning costs.
The planning application has drawn negative responses from residents with over 30 objections received by Melton Borough Council.
With one saying they object due to the lack of infrastructure in Melton Mowbray with the need for another GP surgery and NHS dentist and another saying that secondary schools are at capacity.
More are suggesting that traffic at peak hours is already horrendous in the town which will be made worse by this development.
The application will be discussed in front of the planning committee tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm in Parkside, Station Approach, Melton. The meeting is open to the public and will also be streamed live on Youtube.
You can watch the live broadcast by clicking here.
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