Step 1: Copy the objection letter
The objection letter is provided at the bottom of the page.
Copy the entire letter, from beginning to end. You can use exactly the same objection for both councils.
Add your full name, address and postcode.
Step 2: Submit to Harborough District Council
Application reference: 26/01350/OUT
Choose ONE of these methods:
OPTION A: By email
Send to: planning@harborough.gov.uk
Subject line: Objection to Planning Application 26/01350/OUT
Paste the complete objection into your email, including your name, address and postcode.
OR
OPTION B: Through the planning portal
Visit Harborough District Council's planning portal. You will need to register and then log in.
HDC application 26/01350/OUT — Land South of Gartree Road
Open the application, select the option to comment, select object, and paste your complete objection.
Submit your comments.
Step 3: Submit to Oadby & Wigston Borough Council
Application reference: 26/00345/OUT
You must now submit the SAME objection to the second council.
Again, choose ONE method:
OPTION A: By email
Send to: planning@oadby-wigston.gov.uk
Subject line: Objection to Planning Application 26/00345/OUT
Paste the same complete objection into your email, including your name, address and postcode.
OR
OPTION B: Through the planning portal
Visit Oadby & Wigston Borough Council's planning portal. You will need to register and log in.
OWBC application 26/00345/OUT — Land South of Gartree Road
Search for application 26/00345/OUT.
Open the application, select the option to comment, select object and paste your complete objection.
Submit your comments.
Step 4: Check that you have submitted TWO objections
You should have submitted:
One objection to Harborough District Council, reference 26/01350/OUT.
One objection to Oadby & Wigston Borough Council, reference 26/00345/OUT.
The objection letter is the same, but the application reference numbers are different.
You only need to use one submission method for each council, either email or the planning portal.
Newton Harcourt Objection Letter
Copy the complete objection letter below and submit it to BOTH councils using the correct references
I object to the Land South of Gartree Road outline application before your council and request refusal. This representation addresses your part of the proposed development of up to 4, 000 homes, including its shared infrastructure and cumulative effects across the council boundary. [6, paragraph 9.17]
Transport and delivery
The applicant's unmitigated 2045 Local Plan reference scenario cannot accommodate all traffic demand. Its assessment reports that the proposed investment package restores network functioning. That makes timely delivery essential. Yet the through road between the A6 and Gartree Road is expected at 1, 595 homes and may be deferred; beyond that stage, precise further mitigation and triggers remain unconfirmed. I consider reliance on later monitoring inadequate protection against harmful local conditions during occupation and construction. [1, paragraphs 11.119–11.121 and 13.6–13.9]
Drainage
The drainage strategy reports Oadby treatment capacity for the first 188 homes and separate Wanlip catchment capacity for 1, 077 homes. Wider capacity modelling and the full foul drainage strategy remain to be completed in that document. My objection concerns the unresolved delivery of a complete, resilient system as occupation increases. [2, sections 4.2, 5.3, 5.5 and 6.2]
Health and education
The applicant estimates demand equivalent to 5.0–5.2 full-time GPs. It identifies some existing GP capacity, but future health provision remains subject to discussions. It cannot specify the secondary school's status in 2035, proposing agreed delivery triggers instead. I give limited weight to benefits whose operational timing remains uncertain. [3, paragraphs 7.7.24–7.7.29 and 7.8.8–7.8.15]
Funding the promised infrastructure
HDC's October 2026 plan-level viability addendum describes the whole site as marginally viable at 35% affordable housing. This raises a material concern about funding infrastructure alongside affordable homes. I consider that delivery risk reduces the weight of the promised benefits. [5, paragraphs 4.28–4.32]
Landscape and settlement character
The applicant acknowledges significant adverse visual effects at two assessed viewpoints even at Year 15. Its proposed planting and retained green corridors do not remove all lasting harm. I give weight to that residual harm and the cumulative erosion of the area's rural setting. [4, paragraph 14.10.4]
My local area
For Newton Harcourt, my concern is the effect on journeys between the village, the A6 and nearby services, and any displacement of traffic onto smaller roads. The assessment's recognition of wider network constraints makes reliable local access relevant. I oppose accepting additional pressure without adequate protection of the routes residents actually use. [1, paragraphs 10.36–10.39] I also value the countryside around the village and the distinction between a rural approach and an expanding urban edge.
Newton Lane is also affected by the proposed Wigston Meadows Phase 3 allocation: OWBC’s submitted plan identifies 500 homes and requires an access onto Newton Lane. Separately, Urban&Civic’s Newton Harcourt webpage identifies an option agreement and approximate capacity of 3, 500 homes beside the A6. These current and future pressures reinforce my concern for the village’s rural approaches and the cumulative reliability of local journeys. [9; 10, paragraphs 12.4.1 and 12.4.6].
The bridge at the intersection of Newton Lane and Glen Road is too narrow to accommodate the existing level and type (commercial vehicles in addition to passenger vehicles) of traffic and the bridge beyond that (Wain Bridge) is narrower and makes it unsafe for the existing level of traffic much less any additional traffic that would result from increased houses. Supporting this point, there have been three accidents over the last six months in a stretch of less than a half a mile. The traffic is alternatively forced onto Glen Road which is narrow, unlit, and lacks continuous footways. More vehicles pushes this historic/rural lane beyond its’ safe physical capacity.
I recognise the benefits of new homes and facilities. In my judgment, the combined harms and delivery risks outweigh the benefits demonstrated. Please refuse this application, assessing cumulative transport effects at relevant times and during construction, taking account of proposed mitigation under national policy TR6. [7]
Sources
[1] HDC: TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT (TA) (30 Sep 2026; ID 1523378); OWBC: LSGR_TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT_SEPTEMBER 2026_V1 (08 Oct 2026; ID 2978140).
[2] HDC: SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE AND FOUL WATER STRATEGY PART 1 (30 Sep 2026; ID 1523290); OWBC: LSGR_DRAINAGE STRATEGY_SEPTEMBER 2026_V1_PART1 (02 Oct 2026; ID 2976714).
[3] HDC: ES VOL I CHAPTER 7 - SOCIO-ECONOMICS (14 Sep 2026; ID 1518167); OWBC: LSGR_ES VOL I CHAPTER 7 - SOCIO-ECONOMICS_SEPTEMBER 2026 (21 Sep 2026; ID 2973767).
[4] HDC: ES VOL I CHAPTER 14 - LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL (14 Sep 2026; ID 1518180); OWBC: LSGR_ES VOL I CHAPTER 14 - LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL_SEPTEMBER 2026_V1 (21 Sep 2026; ID 2973802).
[5] HDC Matter 6 WS1, October 2026 viability addendum, paragraphs 4.28–4.32, PDF page 61. https://www.harborough.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/10113/matter_6_ws1_-_harborough_dc.pdf
[6] HDC: PLANNING STATEMENT (30 Sep 2026; ID 1523332); OWBC: LSGR_TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT_SEPTEMBER 2026_V1 (08 Oct 2026; ID 2978143; contains Planning Statement).
[7] National Planning Policy Framework, Chapter 15, policy TR6. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-planning-policy-framework-chapter-15-promoting-sustainable-transport-tr1-8
Applicant documents: use the relevant application Documents tab; exact titles, publication dates and IDs above. Passage references are in the objection.
[9] Urban&Civic, Newton Harcourt, Site details and Ownership, accessed 12 November 2026: https://www.urbanandcivic.com/portfolio/strategic-sites/newton-harcourt/ [10] OWBC LP6.01, Regulation 22 Submission Draft Local Plan, June 2026, AP2, paragraphs 12.4.1 and 12.4.6, printed pages 156–157/PDF pages 157–158.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR Name]
[YOUR email address]
[YOUR full postal address]
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