Deal for Barwell mega-estate offered

Plans showing signs of progress

COMPLEX legal negotiations over community and infrastructure improvements as part of a development of a mega-estate are finally moving forward.

Just weeks ago some community chiefs were concerned the multi-million pound scheme would never get off the drawing board.

But now the consortium of developers behind the controversial Barwell SUE project have now submitted what is hoped will be the final draft of a document outlining what enhancements and facilities will de delivered to both the existing village as well as the new development.

Cash can be used towards, among other things, health, education and leisure.

Despite being deeply unpopular with villagers, the SUE - Sustainable Urban Extension - was granted planning permis- sion in March 2015, subject to the agreement, known as a Section 106 deal.

First mooted a decade ago, it will bring 2,500 new homes and 6.2 hectares of employment land to the north and west of Barwell.

Since the scheme was given the go-ahead officers at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have worked with developers, Taylor Wimpey, Ainscough Strategic Land and Barwood Development Securities to try and finalise the deal.

Officers are now scrutinising the latest submission.

Councillor Stan Rooney (Con Burbage, Sketchley and Stretton) said: “Once this document is agreed and signed the planning permission can be issued. The best estimate for this is April 2017.

“We will continue to press the developer to reach agreement and expedite the development, which remains on course to begin late 2017.”

In the meantime councillors have asked officers to provide an update on whether the scope of the SUE has been retained, with details of any departure from the original.

This will include any changes in financial contributions from the developers.

Leader of the council, Cllr Mike Hall (Con Burbage, Sketchley and Stretton) said: “It’s been a long time since the SUE was approved. Officers have had an unenviable task to agree all of the conditions with the development consortium, the borough as planning authority and other bodies such as Leicestershire County Council and NHS.

“It’s very important to borough councillors that we reach agreement on a deal that delivers improvements for existing residents.

“I’m relieved that we will soon be able to provide clarity to residents of Barwell surrounding the plans.”

The long impasse of the Barwell SUE has hampered progress on the Earl Shilton SUE, which hasn’t yet reached the planning application stage despite years of discussion stretching back as far as 2009.

Cllr Hall added: “Nobody in Barwell really wanted the SUE but we inherited a position where it needs to be delivered.

“As further detailed plans develop and work commences on-site we will liaise with residents every step of the way to minimise the disruption to their lives.”

A spokesman for the SUE development consortium said: “Discussions regarding the Section 106 contributions are ongoing between members of the consortium and all relevant authorities.

“Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is now in receipt of what we hope is the final draft and as such, we hope to finalise the agreement to all parties’ satisfaction in the next few months.”