MEC worked closely with Worthearly Limited for over eight years to secure planning permission for 298 new homes on a former brownfield site in Melton Mowbray. Originally submitted for 313 dwellings in 2017, a revised scheme of 298 was later brought forward before final approval was granted. This new residential development will regenerate a redundant industrial site to include a riverside walk, green play street, and community square, creating a softer, greener entrance into Melton Country Park.
Situated off Snow Hill, the site was once home to Jeld-Wen, one of Melton’s largest employers. As a brownfield development, the site presented several challenges including significant land contamination, existing infrastructure constraints, and environmental sensitivities.
MEC delivered a full suite of multi-disciplinary services, involving our Transport, Flood Risk & Drainage, Acoustics & Air, and Geo-Environmental teams. This comprehensive, collaborative approach ensured that all technical constraints were addressed in a coordinated manner to support the planning process.
Our Geo-Environmental team conducted a Phase I desk study followed by an in-depth Phase II ground investigation. This revealed elevated levels of heavy metals and hydrocarbons in both the soil and groundwater, posing potential risks to human health and the environment. A remediation strategy was proposed which included clean capping in garden areas, vapour and gas protection measures for new buildings, and the potential for in-situ treatment. These solutions were designed to be delivered alongside the wider site preparation and construction programme to ensure no delay to development progress.
Our Flood Risk & Drainage team carried out a detailed Flood Risk Assessment. Based on Environment Agency mapping, most of the site falls within Flood Zone 1, though small areas to the north-east and south-east; adjacent to the watercourse, lie within Flood Zone 2. The site also had varying levels of surface water flood risk, ranging from very low to high. A robust drainage strategy was produced, featuring onsite attenuation of runoff with discharge into Scalford Brook controlled to rates no higher than the 1-in-1-year pre-development event, achieving a 30% betterment, with foul flows being discharged into the existing public sewer.
Our Acoustics & Air team were also appointed to carry out an acoustic and overheating assessment. Background noise levels, largely influenced by the adjacent Snow Hill Industrial Estate, were found to exceed acceptable limits by up to +28 dB in some areas. To mitigate this, we adopted a contextual approach that introduced acoustic screening, enhanced glazing, wall-mounted trickle vents and mechanical ventilation where required. Elsewhere, standard glazing and natural ventilation were sufficient. By considering acoustic and thermal comfort together, we were able to ensure that the homes will be both liveable and sustainable in the long term.
From a Highway’s perspective, our Transport team delivered a comprehensive Transport Assessment and Travel Plan. The assessment confirmed that the site benefits from excellent accessibility, with strong public transport links and proximity to local amenities. Traffic modelling showed that the development would have only a negligible impact on local road networks, even during peak periods. Access arrangements were reconfigured to simplify movement into and out of the site, replacing three older junctions with two new ones to reduce HGV traffic and improve safety. The accompanying Travel Plan promotes sustainable transport options, supported by new pedestrian and cycle connections into existing local routes.
This was a complex development that required long-term collaboration. As a reserved allocation site within Melton’s Local Plan, planning took several years to secure and involved ongoing consultation with Leicestershire County Council’s highways department, who required detailed modelling and justification to address off site highway impact concerns. Engagement with the Environment Agency was also extensive due to the site’s proximity to watercourses and underlying contamination issues.
Despite four different planning case officers being involved over the life of the application, MEC’s collaborative, cross-discipline support supported our client through to planning approval. The result is a well-considered residential scheme that overcomes historic site constraints and delivers high-quality, sustainable housing alongside major public improvements that enhance access to Melton Country Park.
Tim Rose, Regional Director at MEC, commented: "We’re incredibly proud to have worked on this development and to see it successfully achieve planning approval. Securing consent on a site with this level of complexity required detailed technical input, close collaboration with stakeholders, and a resilient approach over several years. It’s a real credit to our multi-disciplinary team, who brought expertise across transport, drainage, environmental and acoustic challenges to deliver a robust and coordinated submission."
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