The unauthorised access route through to the track to Halfway House seriously compromises the structural planting belt and footpath network, by the removal of hedgerow and trees that were designed to ameliorate the new housing development and create a softer edge to the housing approved as part of the Grange Park Farm re-development. The proposed route is to the west of the site and is additional to that agreed as part of the development and, therefore, an unnecessary intrusion into the structural belt. The proposal is thereby contrary to Strategy Policy 8 of the Leicesershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan (March 2005), and Policies ST/1, EV/1, EV/18, EV/20 and RT12 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.

The proposed access track through the site does not adequately allow for sufficient landscaping to ameliorate the proposal. The landscape scheme submitted with the application shows insufficient structural planting and canopy mix. Additional hedge planting is also required to prevent a conflict between children using the play area and the access track. The width of the track and its finish is also considered visually detrimental to the site and surrounding area. The proposal is thereby contrary to Policies ST/1, EV/1, EV/18, EV/20 and TR/6 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan 2004.