Markfield: Luxury electric car showroom plan approved despite concerns

Plans for a luxury electric car showroom in a Leicestershire village have been given the green light.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has approved the development in Markfield.

Car dealership Hillmoren said its plans for the site, off Altar Stones Lane, would create 15 jobs.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said some villagers warned the scheme would lead to more flooding and traffic in the area.

The company, already based in the village, said it wanted one building to display predominantly electric "prestige" cars and a second for valeting and preparation of vehicles.

Halina Watson, who owns a cattery near the site, told a council planning committee she was concerned that 39 trees would be felled to make way for the showroom.

"Taking out the trees will add to the noise pollution from the motorway and the testing of loud performance vehicles and workshops," she said.

"We are all directly affected by something that is so drastically different to what we have right now. We are a rural community, and the garage is not in keeping with the rest of the properties."

Hillmoren's agent Dale Radford said the firm wanted to expand and told the committee: "By approving this application, it ensures the business can be retained within your borough where its staff are located and long-term relationships with local suppliers have been forged."

The application was approved by nine votes to five.

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