Homes plan for royal lodge



A housing development is to be built on the grounds of a former Leicestershire hunting lodge which has links to Edward VIII. Eight “luxury” homes are to be constructed at Craven Lodge, where the former king enjoyed time with lover Wallis Simpson.

Joint agents Mather Jamie and Shouler Son said they have now sold a lot at the site in Melton Mowbray – which comprises the lodge’s grounds – to Anstey based Williams Builders, which is soon to start work on the new houses.

Developer Rochford Homes of Grantham has already begun redeveloping another lot which includes the grade-II listed lodge. This part of the site includes detailed planning consent for the conversion of Craven Lodge into nine houses with two to five bedrooms.

Director Robert Cole, of Mather Jamie, said: “This sale represents a unique opportunity to build exclusive new homes in a location which not only benefits from being in a vibrant market town but is also steeped in history.

“The Craven Lodge site also offers good road links and is just a short walk from Melton railway station for train services to Leicester, Peterborough and Birmingham.”