Local plan up for discussion
A DECISION about consulting the public on the first stage of Hinckley and Bosworth’s new draft Local Plan and also the consultation draft of the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan is due to be taken at a meeting of the borough council tomorrow (December 7).
The Local Plan is the key planning document setting out what development should take place in the borough and where it should go.
The Strategic Growth Plan will be a long term plan for growth across Leicester and Leicestershire up to 2050. Its aim is to work across boundaries to address challenges in the city and the county and opportunities that are presented to us.
A spokesperson for the council said: “It is important for people to get involved in planning for both their local area and across the county, and to help make the borough even more successful in 20 years’ time.
“Knowing what residents, businesses and other interested parties think about the Strategic Growth Plan proposals and what should be included in the Local Plan review is important.
“It means that both plans will be prepared with those options in mind from the beginning.”
Council Leader Mike Hall said: “I hope local residents will take the opportunity to get involved in this process. Perhaps the most significant of the high level proposals in the Strategic Growth plan is the need for a major new road to the south and east of Leicester, connecting to a new M1 junction. Without this road Hinckley and Bosworth could be the target for significant extra housing growth after 2026 (which is the end date of our current plans).
“Although the strategic plan would take many years before it was implemented, I would like to see if there is local support for the scheme at these early stages.
“With the Local Plan I am particularly keen to hear residents’ views on how we decide locations for our future growth in new homes. We are including options that will give residents the opportunity to seek local development where it will protect or improve local services, such as retaining local pubs and shops, or providing new local schools.
“The option to build new villages to meet our housing needs is also a possibility, and would offer an alternative to the seemingly endless expansion of our main urban areas. My aim is to have a Local Plan which protects the nature and character of existing communities, whilst providing new homes where they can improve the Borough as a whole,” he said.
Bill Cullen, the Borough Council’s Chief Executive, added: “All local authorities across Leicestershire are currently considering plans to consult on the Leicester and Leicestershire Strategic Growth Plan between January and March 2018. This will help inform the new draft Local Plan.
“If the council agrees to the consultation proposals on December 7, arrangements will be made for residents and stakeholders to consider these with the draft Local Plan”. When to give your views? The draft Local Plan and Strategic Growth Plan will be available for consultation on the council website in the new year. How to share views There are lots of ways in which to be involved. A number of drop-in and themed workshops are being planned as well as visits to various places across the borough. Contact the Planning Policy team for more information as follows:
Email: PlanningPolicy@ hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk
Phone: 01455 238141 and quote ‘Local Plan Review’