Charnwood borough council prepare for consultation on local plan

In Focus

Charnwood Borough Council prepare for a consultation on its local plan following scrutiny

by Jess Bourne and Molly Lee

Charnwood Borough Council are preparing for a consultation over proposed changes to the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 after it has faced scrutiny as it gets to the examination phase.  

This consultation follows a series of public hearings, which took place between June 2022 and February 2024, and they are now looking into some proposed changes that have been put forward or main modifications to the plan.  

The Charnwood Local Plan Core Strategy was first adopted in 2015 which provided a development strategy setting out where and how new development should take place in the borough. This was due to run until 2028, but the plan was then extended to 2037 which will align with the new Strategic Growth Plan for Leicester and Leicestershire.  

The Local Plan is a robust strategy for growth which simultaneously safeguards the environment and builds healthy communities in Charnwood. It sets out how it will meet the needs for new homes, employment land and critical infrastructure.  

The vision for Charnwood 2037 has been set out and states: “In 2037, Charnwood will be one of the most desirable places to live, work and visit in the East Midlands. Development will have been managed to improve the economy, quality of life and the environment by seeking sustainable development and sustainable patterns of growth.” 

The plan focuses on various things, including housing, employment, environment and climate change, with each of these being areas of attention.  

All of which will be aiming to improve life for residents and ensure that they are protecting the borough while making the necessary changes.  

In Charnwood, there is a need for 1,111 new homes a year between 2021 and 2037, which in total over the 16 years adds up to 17,776. By doing this, they will be able to reduce the 432 cases of homelessness that they were faced with only a few years ago.  

They will be prioritising, ensuring that they meet identified housing needs. For example, size, tenure, adaptability and type, which will all help to meet various needs. And while ensuring that newly built houses meet these targets, they also see it as important to ensure they remain affordable and provide stability for families that are living on a low income.  

To hit these targets, Charnwood Borough Council will be seeking 30 per cent affordable housing from all major housing developments except for Brownfield sites, which is unused land that is not in use, where 10 per cent affordable housing will be sought. And they will be working towards proposals for self-build and custom housebuilding in locations that are considered suitable for housing. These will be prioritised in areas where there is a clear local demand.

Using the local plan, the council is aiming to support a strong and diverse economy that will provide more employment opportunities, including higher-skilled, better paid jobs in the knowledge-based sector. This will include high-technology research and manufacturing, sports, tourism, low carbon industry and creative and cultural industry clusters.  

Charnwood has several open green spaces for the residents can enjoy. These include 38 conservation areas, 236 Local Wildlife sites and 47.5 hectares of parks and gardens.  

To protect their natural spaces, the plan sets out how they will remain dedicated to preserving the environment. They will be promoting the prudent use of resources and reduction of waste through patterns of development, design, transport measures, reducing the use of minerals, energy and water, minimising waste and encouraging recycling. The plan will aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to reduce the impacts of climate change.  

The council is also keen to improve local air quality and reduce other forms of pollution, while also reducing the risk to people and properties from flooding, which was a big problem for residents in Loughborough and the surrounding area last year.  

Charnwood Borough Council Green Party, who support the Labour administration, said: “The council’s Green group welcomes the Charnwood local plan modifications that would strengthen the hand of the planning authority to require developers to better control the risk of flooding near proposed developments and insist on robust and sustainable surface water drainage, flood resistant design, and effective flood resilience measures."

Finally, the council are looking into renewable energy sources to help mitigate climate change. The borough has the potential for wind, solar, energy from waste, district heating, biomass and micro regeneration development, which would all benefit residents and help reduce the impact of the climate crisis.  

However, despite Charnwood Borough Council putting forward these modifications, they have been met with some negative feedback on social media.

One Facebook user said: “It’s a well-known fact, property developers pay the government and force their hand to set large housing targets - councils do not care about climate change or biodiversity. It’s clear by their previous actions and future plans.” 

Another user said: “[It is] disgusting to see the extent of all the planned/new developments and the destruction of so much of our heritage and green spaces. Typical Charnwood Borough Council.”  

Weather Forecast

by Emma Guy, standing in for Phil Morrish this week

☀️ Monday: A bright start to the week! Temperatures are expected to rise to 26C degrees with partial cloud at midday and clear skies to return by the evening. Temperatures will remain hot in the evening, staying at 18C.

🌤️ Tuesday-Friday: This week will be sunny, with partial clouds throughout the afternoon. Heading into Thursday, we should expect the odd passing shower. Temperatures will peak on Tuesday at 26C, with temperatures cooling marginally towards the weekend.

🌥️ Weekend: Temperatures will cool slightly to 23C on Friday but remain sunny but cloudy over the weekend. Sunday will bring lows of 11C, with the clouds taking over towards the afternoon.

In the News

by Emma Guy

🏥 Leicester hospitals transformation thrown into doubt as new government presses pause: The city's three hospitals were selected in 2020 to form part of the previous Conservative's 40 new hospitals pledge. Now, the once-in-a-generation hospital transformation plans have been thrown into doubt. The new Labour government has accused the former Conservative government of creating an “entirely fictional timetable” for the delivery of the new hospitals and of setting out “an unfunded programme” - Leicester Mercury

⛏️ Roman remains warning issued for new housing estate: Archaeologists have written to Blaby District Council’s planning department to notify the authority that plans to build a new housing estate on the land north of Leicester Road in Sapcote, Leicestershire, could bury Roman remains for good. The site, which is located fewer than 200m (656ft) away from the remains of a Roman villa, was first discovered in 1770 - BBC Leicester

🚌 Half of Leicester’s bus network now electric says partnership: Leicester Buses Partnership has reached one of the key milestone targets in its Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP), with 50 per cent of the city’s core commercial network now electric. The milestone is one of 94 out of 100 commitments delivered by the partnership so far - Leicester City Council

🌳 New 'Friendship Park' will transform neglected land: The land in Northampton Road, Market Harborough, owned by Harborough District Council, has been beset by issues including litter, overgrown vegetation and anti-social behaviour. However, the “Friendship Park”, which would cost an estimated £6,000, would feature new tree and shrub planting, gravel walkways, benches and natural landscaping - BBC Leicester

🏅University of Leicester Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls ready to compete on the world stage: Economics student Lauren Henry and History alumnus Nick Cummins will be hoping for glory in Paris as they compete as part of Team GB in the Olympics and Paralympics - University of Leicester

🚖 Leicester taxi drivers 'losing trade to cabbies who operate in city but are licensed elsewhere': Leicester taxi drivers have said they are “angry” that operators licensed in other parts of the country are encroaching on their patch and taking trade away from them. In particular, they raised concerns about drivers with Wolverhampton licences, which they claimed were easier to obtain and less expensive to maintain than those provided by Leicester City Council. - Leicester Mercury

👑 Leicester’s King Richard III Visitor Centre celebrates its 10th birthday: Commissioned by the city council and created in a former school, directly adjacent to the grave site, the visitor centre attracted nearly 80,000 visitors in its first year alone. Today, it’s the second-most-visited ticketed attraction in Leicester – and is on course to welcome its 500,000^th visitor this year - Leicester City Council

🩺 Pop-up clinics launched amid surge in measles cases: A total of 21 clinics will be held across the county, offering jabs for the highly infectious virus. Government figures indicate that between 1 January and 15 July, there were 122 cases of measles were detected in Leicester: the second-highest number in any local authority in the UK.- BBC Leicester

👩‍⚕️ The best and worst GPs in Leicester and Leicestershire according to patients: The NHS survey has found that just under three quarters of patients (72 per cent) across the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland Integrated Care System area said that the overall experience at their practice was “good.” That is below the England average of 74 per cent - Leicester Mercury

🏘️ Crime clampdown in city's most deprived estate: The new “Safer Saffron” campaign will see officers enforce a three-part plan to rid the Saffron Lane estate of serious criminal activity. Government figures show the suburb is the 172nd most deprived area in the UK, of more than 32,000 areas. Leicestershire Police said it would pilot the Home Office's “Clear Hold Build” method, which aims to tackle serious crime - BBC Leicester

Photo of the Week

If you've popped into town in the last few weeks, you will have noticed Peacock Lane's fresh look! You can find this eye catching murial directly opposite the King Richard III Visitor Centre. It is one of three murials, all of which add a welcome vibrancy to the lane.

The arrivals are just in time for celebrations of the 10-year anniversary of King Richard III Visitor Centre.

Got a photo? Send it to news@greatcentralgazette.org to feature in this newsletter.

What's On

by Leah Everquill

Key:
🚨 – Last chance
💷 – Entry fee
🆓 – Free of charge

🚨 💷 The 39 Steps – 31 July to 3 August 2024

Head to Curve Theatre to watch this hilarious stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s spy thriller. Matinée and evening performances available. Tickets from £10.

💷 A Night at the Musicals – 3 August 2024

If you’re a fan of musicals, visit Oadby Baptist Church for an evening of fantastic performances by Ratae Cooperative Players. Matinée and evening performances available. Tickets cost £10.

💷 Woodland Feasts at Stoughton Grange – 3 August 2024

Head over to Stoughton Grange Farm Park for a delightful tour of the woodlands and a delicious 3-course meal. Runs from 6:30pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £70.

💷 Afternoon Ragas at the Guildhall – 4 August 2024

Pop down to The Guildhall for a sensational afternoon of classical Indian music. Runs from 2pm to 4pm. Tickets from £10.

🆓 Sound Solid Liquid Light – Now until 10 August 2024

Visit Two Queens for a fascinating collaborative art installation that incorporates sound, sculpture, and film.

🆓 Everyone Welcome – Now to 31 October 2024

Are you a fan of local artwork? Visit Leicester Museum and Art Gallery for this colourful and eclectic exhibition of works by asylum seekers and refugees.

On the Market

by Mark Pearson

This sixth floor flat with secure valet parking is a stone's throw from the Curve Theatre. The property has two double bedrooms as well as main living area. The flat has a leasehold of 103 years plus service charge.

Price: Offers over £99,000. You can view the property here.

Food and Drink

by Emma Guy

The beloved Current Affairs vegan shop and takeaway is moving to new premises in St. Martins square! The new location, formerly Fox Books, is due to be ready for a soft launch from 6 August 2024. It'll be great to see the latest edition to Silver Walk, St Martins Square.

Sports Highlights

by Emma Guy

⚽️ Women’s football: The countdown to the start of the new Barclays Women’s Super League season is now on, following the release of the 2024/25 fixtures earlier this week. Read more

🏀 Men’s basketball: Leicester Riders are happy to confirm the retention of Blake Bowman ahead of the 2024-25 season. The British forward will take to the floor for his third season with the club, having signed a multi-year deal last summer. Read more

⚽️ Men’s football: Leicester City lost to Palermo in a pre-season friendly. The match ended in a 1-0 defeat. Read more

Nostalgia

by Megan Lupton

This week, we're taking a look back at “one of the most ethnically diverse roads in the country”, and it's right here, in Leicester! Here are just some of the shops that once served communities on Narborough road. Read more about it here.