Over the past few years, the Parish Council (PC) has been working hard with Charnwood Borough Council (CBC) with new planning applications affecting Barrow Upon Soar. Many of you will be familiar with CBC’s recently adopted Local Plan, which allocates over 700 new homes and a new primary school to the village. The Plan identifies land for: 130 homes behind Millennium Park; 135 homes adjacent to the conservation area, next to the former Seagrave Nurseries; 220 houses on land to the west of Cotes Road, leading down to the railway line and river; and 221 houses on the land beyond the Willow Road/Cotes Road roundabout. See the map for details. However, the PC anticipates these numbers will increase over the lifetime of the Plan.
While the PC does not have the power to decide whether or not developments go ahead, it is able to comment on applications, and it plays a key role in advocating for the village. One of the PC’s main concerns has been to secure funding to support Barrow’s existing infrastructure and services, which will be put under considerable pressure as housing numbers increase.
So far, the PC has been successful in securing funding from the developers to provide some mitigation against the impact the new development will have on our village. The PC also recently attended a public enquiry relating to the land off Cotes Road, where they strongly represented reasons for why the development here should be refused, as well as a bid for further funding if the appeal is successful. The Natural & Built Environment Team’s consultation officer described this area as a mosaic of fields, occupied by pastures and lowland wet grassland or scrub, and noted its relatively well-wooded character, with trees and shrubs along the railway embankment. This description highlights not just the rural charm of the land, but also its ecological and visual importance, which many residents - especially those who live close to the area - feel would be lost with the new housing developments. When permission is granted, the PC will demand protection for some of the land as areas for nature.
Comments from Barrow’s residents and neighbours on the proposed developments have played an important role in the planning process, and the PC encourages all residents to write to the CBC as, and when, future developments come forward. Comments can be viewed on the CBC Planning Portal - see reference numbers on the map key. Concerns surrounding traffic and infrastructure feature heavily. Many residents’ comments have stressed that the village’s roads have surpassed their limits, and that increased food risks, insufficient draining capacity, and potential damage to the railway embankment will all have an impact. In addition, the capacity at the health centre is fagged as a growing issue, and there is a shortage of space in our schools.
Some people worry that the additional homes and developments will erode the village’s character. One resident raised his concerns about increased noise and disturbance, especially in areas where the 30mph speed limit is often overlooked and exceeded. Another neighbour raised the issue of habitat and wildlife loss, mentioning the presence of tawny owls on land approved for development.
Residents close to the village’s schools point out that access is already restricted in these areas, especially during drop-off and pick-up times, when cars and coaches pack the roads. Moreover, the junction of the High Street, North Street, Cotes Road and Church Street is dangerous, with incidents having occurred here in the past.
Overall, residents broadly agree that if these developments proceed, it is imperative that they are accompanied by serious investment in the village’s infrastructure and services, especially with regards to improving entry points to the village, congestion surrounding schools, junctions and roundabouts, and safer walking on Cotes Road’s narrow or non- existent footpaths.
Change is unavoidable, but the Parish Council continues to ensure that these developments are handled carefully and responsibly, and that residents' feedback is heard and ref and representations. As planning applications move forward, the council continues its effort to preserve the village’s character, safety and environments.
Written comments from the Parish Council to the Local Planning Authority can be seen on the PC’s website and on the CBC Planning Portal.
Ruth Olivia
KEY
Areas identified in Charnwood Borough Council’s Development Plan: HA 45, HA 46, HA 48, HA 49
| HA 45 | Gladman’s 1 P/21/0760/2 - Outline planning permission given for 130 houses |
| HA 46 | Gladman’s 2 P/21/7059/2 - Outline planning permission given for 135 houses |
| HA 48 | Bloor Homes P/22/1254/2 - Outline planning permission given for 221 houses and a new one form entry primary school - Full Planning application now submitted: P/23/2324/2 |
| HA 49 | A – No planning application submitted yet B – St Philip’s P/23/ 0238/2 - Outline planning permission to be decided for 60 houses C – In private ownership D – Ashberry P/23/0226/2 - Outline planning permission to be decided for 60 houses E – William Davis P/23/1582/2 - Outline planning permission for 70 houses to be decided by an inquiry from 10th Feb 2026 |
No full planning applications have been submitted yet.
Leicestershire County Council is talking about starting to build the new primary school in the summer of 2027 with the opening in 2028/29. Full details, comments, reports etc. can be found on the CBC Planning portal: https://planningexplorer.charnwood.gov.uk/Assure/ES/Presentation/Planning/OnLinePlanning/OnlinePlanningSearch