New retrospective plans reappear for Gypsy and Traveller site near Lutterworth

Mr Smith’s previous application, dated September 2025, for nine Travellers’ pitches on land on the east of Watling Street in Claybrooke Parva, was refused by Harborough District Council (HDC) in February of this year.

Now, new plans say they are a revised scheme for nine pitches “with associated access, hardstanding and engineering operations”.

The proposals are described as “modest and domestic in nature”.

Plans state that the site is arranged to accommodate nine individual pitches, with sufficient space for a static caravan, dayroom, associated parking and private amenity space.

In terms of appearance, the pitches are described as being distributed across the site in a series of “linear and courtyard-style arrangements”.

Internal access is provided via a central private ‘spine road’, documents state, and dedicated parking spaces are provided within each pitch.

A total of 127 objections were received by Harborough District Council (HDC) in response to the previous plans.

Refusing the application earlier this year, HDC said: “The proposal fails to demonstrate no potential flood risk is associated with its use and the development should it continue may result in increased flood risk at the site”.

The council also said the site failed to demonstrate safe and suitable vehicle access “and the development should it continue shall likely result in an intensification of use of an access with substandard width and vehicular visibility leading to dangers for highway users”.

Consultation on the plans is open until Wednesday, June 3. A decision is expected by Friday, June 26.