New holiday lodges and glamping plots for Breedon on the Hill are set to be backed by officials despite concerns from residents. The plan would see dozens of new pitches created to cope with increased tourism, with the developer insisting his current site is “fully booked” for most of the year.

However, the proposal, for Breedon’s Tonge Lane, near Ashby, has attracted concern and criticism from residents and parish councillors, with access and safety seen as a key problem. Breedon on the Hill Parish Council said the plan offered “restricted visibility” to potential users and posed a risk, saying: “Given the poor visibility, when vehicles enter the site, they cannot clearly see vehicles approaching the junction for exit purposes.”

Highways teams at Leicestershire County Council have raised no issues with access throughout the planning process, with officials at North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) set to approve the proposal next week. It believes any impacts will be “limited” on several fronts.

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If backed by officials, the application from Ray Morris will see 10 bays created on the land for motorhomes and caravans to visit the area, while a new holiday lodge will be erected on site. A further 20 spots for tents - and glamping opportunities - would be situated to the rear of the field in Tonge Lane.

One timber holiday lodge already exists on site, with Mr Morris - NWLDC’s district councillor for Worthington and Breedon - saying that it boasts an approximate “94 per cent occupancy rate” which leaves it “fully booked” for most of the year. That has been disputed by some residents who claim there is little demand for holidays in Breedon.

One said: “There is no demand for campervan/glamping facilities in the area. This is evidenced by the under usage of the sites at the Breedon Golf facility and at Donington Park.”

Tonge Lane, Breedon on the Hill
The proposed site is currently used for grazing

In its report, NWLDC dismissed this claim as a reason to block the plan. It said: “The applicant is already operating a holiday lodge within the site which has proven to be popular thus the applicant has sought to expand the use. The lack of evidenced demand for such facilities would not amount to a robust or reasonable reason to refuse the application.”

NWLDC also found that the proposal would result in “very limited harm” to the character and appearance of Breedon, while also acknowledging that it would mainly be a “seasonal” operation. A final decision on the lodges will be made by the council next Tuesday (June 6).

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