New UK town with 4,500 new homes next to major airport as Angela Rayner pushes ahead

A new town is set to be built next to a major UK airport as Angela Rayner aims to see the delivery of 1.5million new homes. The proposal for the up to 4,500-property settlement, named Isley Woodhouse, adjacent to East Midlands Airport in Leicestershire, also includes a secondary school and two primaries, as well as shops, hotels, a leisure centre and sports facilities. It is thought that the project could bring as many as 10,000 new residents to the area.

The site has long been considered for potential development, with council documents previously stating that that patch of land has "a significant positive score for the provision of housing." However, officials note that local bus services would need to be "substantially upgraded." Moreover, councillors were told that there is "some prospect of noise from the airport and Donington Park Circuit impacting on residents," which will need to be addressed.

There is also the "prospect of both on-site and off-site biodiversity impacts which require further investigation", and "a number of listed properties and Diseworth Conservation Area outside, but close to, the site boundary".

This means "potential impacts on their setting are a matter to be addressed".

The latest application was received in June, and includes feedback from residents, who have also raised concerns around traffic, and the potential impact on farmland and local education and health infrastructure.

Local Kelly Ryan said: "The existing road network in and around the proposed site is insufficient.

"I currently, and for the last 18 years, used the road past the airport and over the years the traffic has grown, especially with DHL hub opening."

Ken Ward added: "This huge developement will have a massive impact on the surrounding area which includes Ashby and Coalville.

"There is no indication that the roads linking this site to other parts of North West Leicestershire will be able to cope with the extra traffic created by more than 10,000 new inhabitants of the strangely named Isley Woodhouse.

"Ashby Civic Society believes that the new town will affect our town and the immediate surrounding area and will make access to the airport and Castle Donnington far more difficult than it is today.

"Why contemplate such a vast township in an agricultural area when a much smaller development may have been acceptable?

"We are losing too much countryside in NWL district and this is wholly unacceptable."

Developers have said new homes would be "in high demand", including by people who work at East Midlands Airport and the Segro East Midlands Gateway logistics park in Castle Donington.

They added that 30% of the properties would be classed as "affordable," and four new access points would be created in the development off the A453, which would be rerouted around the West of the site.

The planning statement read: "The scheme will deliver a range of dwelling types, sizes and tenures across the site, providing accommodation for people of different ages and lifestyles.

"The proposals will offer a range of sizes, from apartments through to terraced, semi-detached and detached homes. The provision will include rental properties as well as affordable housing and those to purchase on the open market."

It also sets out the district's "vision".

The document said: "Businesses will choose to locate and grow in this area, taking advantage of its excellent location in the centre of the country, close to major road and rail networks and a major international airport.

"The East Midlands Enterprise Gateway, focused on East Midlands Airport, Donington Park, and the East Midlands Gateway Rail Freight Interchange, will be recognised as a key destination in its own right.

"This strongly performing economy will be reflected in low unemployment and reduced instances of deprivation."

On traffic, those behind the scheme added: "Travel data shows that 80% of the area's workers commute into the general East Midland Gateway area, with there currently being only circa 6,000 homes within a 2.5km radius of the key employment sites, which include EMA; East Midlands Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange; and East Midlands Distribution Centre.

"This lack of local housing increases car dependence, creating an additional traffic burden, which both reduces the efficiency of local businesses and negatively impacts on carbon emissions and local air quality.

"The present balance of jobs and homes in the area is considered unsustainable... The existing A453 will be integrated within the Site, forming one of its primary streets in the western area.

"This will have added benefits for existing residents who take their access from this section of the A453, as the volume and speed of traffic travelling on this route will reduce."