The application includes plans for 25 per cent affordable housing, with some properties to be provided under the Government’s First Homes scheme, whereby buyers who meet certain criteria can get between 30 and 50 per cent off the market value.

If approved, the homes will be built by Bellway’s East Midlands housebuilding division, which is based in Leicester.

The design for the site features a collection of energy-efficient new homes with electric vehicle charging points.

The proposed development would include new footpaths into the centre of the village, a new bus stop on Broughton Road, land for nature and biodiversity enhancements , a children’s play area and a new entrance for the Sunday car boot market.

Details of the financial contributions the developer will make towards local infrastructure and facilities, including the parish council’s proposed new village hall, would be confirmed as part of a planning agreement with the local authority.

Bellway Strategic Land carried out a public consultation exercise in the village in April. This followed earlier engagement with Blaby District Council and Croft Parish Council.

Feedback from the public consultation highlighted the desire for affordable new homes with eco-friendly features such as solar panels, the need for improved local facilities and the retention of the popular Sunday car boot market.

Matt Smith, Strategic Land Manager at Bellway, said:

“Blaby has a shortfall in its housing supply across the district and Croft is a sustainable village for a development of this size.

“As part of the planning process, following pre-app consultation with the district council, we reached out to the parish council and local residents for their views on our plans. This valuable feedback has helped to shape the proposals to ensure there are meaningful benefits to the community.

“We are proposing to deliver an attractive and sustainable development with green spaces at its heart. There will be landscaped open spaces including a children’s play area and existing trees will be retained to create a buffer to protect woodland to the south of the site. Additional land will be set aside for nature and new habitats to increase biodiversity.

“We have worked closely with the planning team at Bellway East Midlands and their localised expertise made an important contribution to our proposals.”

Bellway’s strategic land team consists of planning and development experts who work with landowners, specialist planners and local authorities to identify long-term opportunities for development.

To find out more about Bellway homes across the East Midlands, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/east-midlands.