Keep the Gap Update – Planning Appeal, October 2026
25/00793/OUT – 28 affordable homes between Kibworth and Smeeton Westerby is back on the agenda.
Many readers will have been aware of the application to build 28 homes in open countryside between Kibworth and Smeeton Westerby. This generated considerable opposition from Kibworth Beauchamp Parish Council, Smeeton Westerby Parish Council and local residents. Harborough District Council (HDC) received 214 public comments, 210 opposing the application and 4 in support.
On 12 February 2026 HDC’s planning committee unanimously refused this application after hearing submissions from Ward Councillor Robin Hollick, planning consultant Lizzie Beresford and local residents. The decision notice was posted on 13 February giving 6 months to appeal. On the very last day of that period, the applicant lodged an appeal.
The appeal process will include a public hearing in the HDC Council Chamber on Tuesday 13 October 2026 starting at 10 am and scheduled for the whole day with a 45-minute lunch break. The government Planning Inspector will receive all of the case documents including public comments then make a site visit. On the day they will hear further submissions from the appellant and his team, HDC’s planning team and members of the public who submitted a new comment to the government Planning Inspectorate and register their intention to attend with HDC.
The deadline for new comments is 11.59 pm on Friday 18 September, which may well be after you read this article. If you see this before that deadline and wish to comment, only online comments will be received in time. You can use the links below for direct access to the comment section for this appeal (reference 6013926).
We have been assured that new public objections will show the continued public opposition and strengthen the case for this appeal to be refused.
appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6013926
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