Crime and planning concerns are raised

FED-UP villagers have vented their views to crime and council chiefs during a packed public meeting.

Issues with speeding, antisocial behaviour and planning frustrations were all aired when Bagworth residents took borough bosses, councillors and police leaders to task.

Among the main gripes were lack of investment in the village despite new housing approvals and dissatisfaction with the drawn-out process of moving on illegal traveller encampments.

The meeting, held at Bagworth Community Centre, was called by ward borough councillor Ozzy O’Shea in response to community concerns.

Among those present was Councillor O’Shea himself, leader of the borough council Cllr Mike Hall, council officers, police crime commissioner Lord Willy Bach and local police officers.

Cllr O’Shea said he thought the meeting had gone well, with residents successfully voicing their worries.

He said: “A lot of what people raised concerned anti-social behaviour and speeding through the village. There’s ongoing problems with motorbikes being ridden on pavements and there are difficulties associated with the Costalot site.

“Many people were unhappy with recent planning decisions, particularly the approval of social housing in the old Dunlop factory. It’s not so much that it’s all social housing but the fact the village is not getting any 106 money, nothing to improve health or leisure facilities.

“People are upset there is nothing coming in to support infrastructure. In fact people feel so angry about it that there is talk of bringing a judicial review.”

Among the other items discussed was the ongoing saga of the Good Friday traveller site, finally declared illegal after an eight-year battle, but still standing.

Here Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council are in the hands of Leicester County Court to list a date when officers can seek a full injunction to close down all of the pitches. Five are already subject to an injunction but the authority had to wait for an appeal on the other five to be dismissed before launching full eviction proceedings.

Cllr O’Shea said: “It is difficult for people to understand but we have to go through these processes and unfortunately it all takes time. I do know people are worried about what is going on at Tara House.

“A huge wooden fence has gone up which is entirely out of character with the surroundings and because people cannot see what is happening behind it they are obviously afraid it will become a second Good Friday. However, as soon as the fence went up the council took action and we have an injunction on that land now so if further incursion takes place, prosecutions could be made.”

Suggestions made at the meeting to ensure future public confidence included encouraging people to report all instances of crime and anti-social behaviour, however petty, and establishment of mobile CCTV cameras to tackle speeding.

There has also been a commitment made by the county council to carry out further road surveys in support of villagers’ reports of excessive speeds.