Green Wedge (b) Between Whetstone, Blaby and Countesthorpe - Parcel B

Purpose Question Assessment

Whetstone (due to the gently sloping topography downwards from Countesthorpe westwards to Whetstone). Similarly, along Winchester Road looking west across the Green Wedge, views are afforded over the fields where there are breaks in the hedgerow. These enhance the perception of distance between the settlements.

Question 1C: Does the land include uses or proposed developments that are incompatible with the Green Wedge policy. Answer 1C: Yes. There are some employment uses at towards the northwest of the parcel at the Blaby Gold Course site. Rose Way Industrial Estate is not included in the designation however nonetheless perforates the parcel. An extensive outdoor caravan storage is located just to the East of here. Beech Farm includes commercial buildings and has a planning permission to convert an existing agricultural unit. A limited number of dwellings are located centrally within the wedge accessed off long driveways from the main road. Otherwise, the land uses are compatible.

Overall Assessment for Purpose 1 The land is expansive and mostly undeveloped, has established hedgerows to add buffers of separation, and affords open views across fields at certain locations giving a perception of distance between settlements. The spacious character significantly contributes the distinguishing the settlements of Whetstone, Countesthorpe and Blaby. There are a lack of permanent physical features within the main part of the wedge to prevent the merging of settlements and some developments are present that are incompatible with the Green Wedge that limit the contribution to this purpose to an extent. Purpose Score: Moderate/Strong Contribution

A31