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
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
PEOPLE are being asked to have their say on a plan setting out how Leicester and Leicestershire will grow in the future.
A draft Strategic Growth Plan is being 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).
It 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.
Now, people are invited to comment on the plan by taking part in a county-wide consultation, which runs from 11 January until 5 April 2018.
The plan estimates that Leicester and Leicestershire needs 96,580 new homes and 367-423 hectares of employment land from 2011-2031.
Some of these homes have already been built or have planning permission.
Beyond 2031, the plan identifies the need for a further 90,500 dwellings and additional employment land, which is why further land needs to be unlocked.
Local Plans will deal with the detailed allocation of which sites will be brought forward.
Draft proposals put forward in the Strategic Growth Plan include major infrastructure improvements on which new growth is dependent.
These include a new link road – the A46 Expressway – to the south and east of Leicester, running from the M69 and the M1 to the A46 north of the city.
The plans seek to relieve pressure around the busy M1 Junction 21 which frequently impacts on traffic in the Enderby area.
The A5 and A42 would also be upgraded to expressway status, supporting growth in these areas. Rail improvements are also proposed.
These road and rail improvements would require significant Government investment and would relieve congestion pressures along the M1 and more widely across the Midlands. It would also potentially unlock land for the required housing and employment.
Key areas for potential growth are the city of Leicester and the corridor of land around the proposed new road.
In a news item highlighting the Strategic Plan, BBC East Midlands Today featured the New Lubbesthorpe Development as it reported on the agreement of local councils to the future (post 2031) development of roads, homes and businesses being developed ‘together’. (See also statement by Cllr. Terry Richardson below)
Secondary areas for growth are identified in the north and the south of the county – there would be a ‘northern gateway’ close to East Midlands Airport, and a ‘southern gateway’, close to Magna Park.
Last night (Wednesday 10th January) Harborough District Council turned down an application by the owners of Magna Park for a large expansion to the existing (already large) distribution centre. Councillors were reviewing a decision by the Planning Committee the originally approved the development.
Growth is also proposed for Melton and Lutterworth, where it would support transport improvements and relieve congestion in the towns.
New housing would be built closer to where people work, to minimise congestion from commuters.
Cllr. Richardson
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said:
“Over the last few years we have been working with partners to produce this Strategic Growth Plan, with the aim of producing a strong framework to determine how Blaby and the wider area will meet its housing and employment needs over the next three decades.
“Too often growth has not been supported by the necessary infrastructure and the plan seeks to address this point and thereby provide for sustainable development.
“As well as the A46 expressway, the proposed Southern Gateway in the district will open up opportunities to develop sustainable housing, employment and infrastructure. This will ensure that we can protect the character of our existing villages and settlements.”
Cllr. Sheila Scott
Councillor Sheila Scott, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Partnerships and Economic Development, said:
“We have worked with our partners to produce the Strategic Growth Plan and are now asking residents and businesses for their views.
“Through this plan we can ensure that growth can be delivered at the right time, in the right places, with the essential infrastructure that it needs. The Strategic Growth Plan will inform future Local Plans that the Council will produce and so it is important that the public has their say now.
“There are some exciting opportunities for the District: the proposed A46 expressway will reduce congestion on main routes through the District and attract investment that will continue to make Blaby an excellent area to live and work in.
“This is a long-term plan which demonstrates that the City and County are proactively working together to plan on how to accommodate growth and attract inward investment to the area in the future.”
To take part in the consultation, please see the website llstrategicgrowthplan.org.uk or contact any of the local authorities or the LLEP.
Blaby District Council are conducting a budget and satisfaction survey with residents of the district, covering views on public services in the district, priorities, Council Tax and how the council can make improvements.
Taking place over the next four weeks, the survey will be used to help find out more about the progress of the authority’s “Blaby Plan” and any future proposals.
A consultation has been launched by Leicestershire County Council for residents and organisations to have their say on proposed changes to RHWS (this includes Whetstone tip) and recycling credits paid to charities and other groups in Leicestershire.
The consultation document is available until 26th April 2015 on the following link –
Time is running out to have your say on how sport and physical activity is delivered within Blaby district.
Blaby District Council is currently running a public consultation to find out what sport activities and facilities residents want in their area and which ages or groups need more for them.
The consultation, which can be found at www.blaby.gov.uk/atconsultation, ends on Friday February 8.
Councillor David Clements, Corporate Services, Performance and Leisure portfolio holder at Blaby District Council, said: “In order to plan the right services for the district we need to know what residents want in their area.
“We are therefore running a public consultation and would greatly appreciate residents letting us know their thoughts and providing us with any suggested changes.”
The Council receives funding from Leicestershire County Council to deliver on what needs are identified.
Funding is also available for people who want to start up a new or boost an existing sport activity.
Darren Farish, Physical Activity Commissioning Project Officer, said, “People have got the chance to apply for funding to create, enhance or sustain sport and physical activity within the district and we’re looking for people who would best utilise this funding.”
If you are interested in gaining funding to help your club, group or area please contact the Health & Recreation Team at activetogether@blaby.gov.uk or call 0116 272 7703.
PEOPLE are being asked to have their say on a plan setting out how Leicester and Leicestershire will grow in the future.
