Tag Archives: Blaby

Tourism Partnership launches in district

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A new tourism partnership promoting how the District of Blaby is a great place to visit has launched at the Leicester Marriott Hotel in Enderby.

MPs for the area Alberto Costa and Edward Argar joined Leader of Blaby District Council Councillor Terry Richardson and other guests at the Marriott to officially launch the partnership, which is supported by local businesses across the district.

Tourism Launch group photo

Working with Leicestershire Promotions Limited, Blaby District Council’s partnership will see it commit to develop a Tourism Plan which aims to increase local tourism, boost the economy and make information about attractions in the district more widely available

With Fosse Shopping Park drawing over eight million visitors a year, Meridian Leisure, one of the most popular out-of-town entertainment destinations in Leicestershire and three major hotel chains in the centre of the district, tourism to the local area boosts employment opportunities and drives the local economy.

Just a few miles south in the district’s rural heartland, over 3,000 people are expected to visit the district in April, as local BMX club the Leicester Huncote Hornets will be hosting two rounds of the 2018 British Cycling BMX National Championships at their European-standard track in Huncote. Stoney Cove, the UK’s National Diving Centre in Stoney Stanton also attracts thousands of visitors to the district every year, along with venues such as Kirby Castle and Stanton Lakes.

Alberto Costa, MP for South Leicestershire, said: “I am really delighted to support the launch of Blaby District Council’s new Tourism Partnership. I know the District Council have been working very closely with some brilliant local businesses to bring this partnership to fruition.

“While I’m proud to say that the District already attracts millions of visitors a year, their ambitious tourism plan will draw even more visitors to the area and will place Blaby firmly on the tourism map.”

Edward Argar, MP for Charnwood, said: “”It is great to see Blaby District Council taking such a strong lead in promoting all that is best about our area at this event to launch the new Tourism Partnership for Blaby.

“The partnership and the Tourism Plan it will develop represents a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase the amazing landscape, tourist attractions, events and heritage that make Leicestershire and Blaby so special, and such a great place to visit.”

Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “The District of Blaby truly is the heart of Leicestershire. We are fortunate to have some of the largest businesses in the country based here, fantastic retail opportunities, great places to stay, as well as some beautiful open spaces.

“This Tourism Partnership will boost not only the economy, but help to promote some of our lesser-known attractions to the benefit of businesses and local residents.”

Jo Dempster, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Leicester Marriott Hotel and Chair of the Tourism Partnership said: “Following a lot of partnership activity and discussions over the last few months, it’s a great step that the Blaby Tourism Plan has launched.

“This is the start of a very exciting time for the district, its residents and visitors to the area. We look forward to the opportunities the plan will bring.”

The new website has joined with businesses from across the district and includes information on the biggest attractions, heritage sites and places to stay for people visiting the area. For full details visit www.exploreblaby.co.uk.

Designated dog-waste bins may ‘disappear’ after local trial

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Designated dog-waste bins are under threat as Blaby District Council run an ‘any bin will do’ trial in Enderby and Narborough.

At their meeting on 14th March, Enderby Parish Councillors resolved to make strong representations to both the District and County Councils against the move to remove the dedicated bins.

The trial is being undertaken following proposed changes to the District Council’s provision of street and open space bins – primarily, the district’s designated dog waste bins (DDWB’s).

Many dog lovers are grateful for the designated dog bins placed on the streets and open spaces popular with dog walkers. Stickers, identifying that dog waste may now be deposited in general waste bins, have been affixed to rubbish bins in the trial areas of Enderby and Narborough.

The changes arise following a decision by the County Council that Blaby District could no longer dispose of waste from designated dog waste bins at their Waste Transfer site and that the waste material should be taken directly to landfill at Shawell, near Lutterworth.

The move created an ‘operational disadvantage’ to the District Council as the transfer station is next door to its depot in Whetstone.

Apart from the extra man-hours and mileage considerations in the journey to Lutterworth, the District Council also points to  the vehicles in the Cleansing department not being suitable for landfill sites, and are experiencing increased damage as well as accumulations of mud on the underside of the vehicle chassis. 

This is presenting difficulty with servicing the vehicles, as well as decreasing the vehicles load carrying capacity.

Luke Clements, Waste Operations Manager at Blaby District Council, informed Parish Councillors by email that almost half of all of the street bins currently provided are designated dog waste bins.

All District Cleansing crews collect waste from these bins. So the County Council decision has affected the whole service.

In an attempt to find a workable solution, the District and County Council’s arrived at an agreement.

The agreement is to close the designated dog waste bins in the trial areas of Enderby and Narborough and encourage the redirection of bagged dog waste into the general litter bins.

Luke Clements points out that many other councils have already adopted the ‘Any Bin Will Do’ policy to dog waste, and he himself has first hand experience of this from his time at Hinckley Borough Council.

Leicestershire County Council are happy to accept dog waste at their transfer stations as long as it is mixed in the bag with other material. So during the trial period the District Council will be able to take street litter bin waste from the trial area to Whetstone Transfer Station.

The trial period is expected to begin on March 19th and run for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Leicestershire County Council will take a view after the initial fortnight and determine whether they want to extend the trial or make a permanent decision one way or the other.

Residents vote for Neighbourhood Plan

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Blaby village gateway signA Neighbourhood Plan for Blaby has been adopted following a successful referendum and approval from Councillors.

The new Blaby Neighbourhood Plan will help shape the development and growth of Blaby Parish, where development should go, where it shouldn’t go and what it should look like.

Nearly 95% of residents voted for the plan in the referendum, which took place on Thursday 01 February.

At a meeting of Councillors on Thursday 22 February the plan was adopted and as a result, has become part of the development plan for Blaby Parish.

Planning applications within Blaby Parish will now be considered against the policies in the Blaby Neighbourhood Plan, as well as the District Council’s Local Plan, taking account of other material considerations.

Councillor Sheila Scott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing Strategy, Economic & Community Development, said:

“This is a plan years in the making, and I want to thank both local residents and especially Blaby Parish Council for their hard work to get the Neighbourhood Plan to where we are now.

“This gives the local community a powerful set of tools to shape the development and growth of their local areas. They are plans prepared by the local community, for the local community.”

Blaby is the first parish in the district to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan.

The Parishes of Leicester Forest East and Cosby are working hard on developing their own Neighbourhood Plans, with the support of Blaby District Council.

Ten parishes are also working together as the Leicestershire Fosse Villages to create a joint Neighbourhood Plan.

Find out more about the Blaby Neighbourhood Plan and read more details about neighbourhood planning by visiting:
http://www.blaby.gov.uk/neighbourhood_planning

Three events for Growth Plan Consultation

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Exhibitions have been arranged within the District of Blaby to give residents more detail on the Strategic Growth Plan.

Three separate events have been arranged, with information and officers available to answer questions about the draft plan, which has been developed by a partnership formed by Leicester City and Leicestershire County councils, the seven local borough and district authorities and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

Events will be hosted on the following days and locations:

  • Tuesday 27th February,
    2pm-9pm, Council Chamber, Blaby District Council,
    Desford Road, Narborough, LE19 2EP
  • Thursday 1st March,
    4pm-8pm, Whetstone Parish Council,
    Cemetery Road, Whetstone LE8 6LL
  • Monday 19th March,
    4pm-8pm, Sapcote Pavilion,
    Hinckley Road, Sapcote, LE9 4FL

The Strategic Growth Plan puts forward proposals for the new housing and transport improvements that would be needed to attract jobs and investment to Leicester and Leicestershire from now until 2050.

The final version of the plan will provide strategic direction and help shape the Local Plans that the city, borough and district councils are or will be preparing or reviewing.

It will also be used to support bids for Government funding to deliver the infrastructure needed to support growth.

At the end of the consultation period, responses on the Draft Plan will be considered and a final version of the Plan will be prepared during 2018.

The final version of the Plan will be used as a framework for preparing Local Plans.

Together with the Strategic Transport Plan and Local Industrial Strategy, the Strategic Growth Plan will be used as a bidding document to secure funding for essential infrastructure and services in the area

To take part in the consultation and for more information, visit www.llstrategicgrowthplan.org.uk.

First ‘Love Blaby’ lottery draw imminent

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There are just five days to go until the first draw in of the Love Blaby Lottery, with plenty of time still left to enter!

With a £25,000 jackpot and a 1 in 50 chance of winning, Love Blaby lottery has been set up by Blaby District Council to raise money for charities and good causes across the district. Players will be able to choose which good cause benefits from the tickets they buy.

The first draw will take place on Saturday 24 February.Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week with 60p going directly to good causes. Other prizes include £2000, £250, £25 and free tickets.

The projected figure of money being raised for good causes in the first year of operating is already over £17,500, following the start of ticket sales in late January.

Love Blaby Lottery is open to anyone aged 16 years and over.

Participants are reminded to gamble responsibly.

Register before midnight on Friday 23 February to be eligible for the first draw. Tickets are available online via www.blabylottery.co.uk or call 0116 380 0775. Full terms and conditions are available on the website.