New ‘garden village’ is planned straddling M1
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON 6,000-HOMES SCHEME
A NEW village of up to 6,000 homes is being proposed on either side of the M1 in Leicestershire.
Developer Tritax Symmetry have set out their proposals for a new community called Whetstone Pastures on nearly 1,000 acres of farmland by the motorway south of Leicester, in an area bordered by the villages of Cosby, Whetstone and Countesthorpe.
The project proposes potentially 5,000 to 6,000 new homes in what is being marketed as a low-carbon “garden village” six miles south of the city.
It would have new shops, schools, a new logistics park with four million square feet of employment space as well as a new motorway service station.
Tritax and landowners are seeking planning permission for Whetstone Pastures. Blaby District Council is working with them as it seeks to find ways of meeting its government-set targets for allocating land for new homes.
A public engagement programme has been launched to collect people’s views on the proposed vision, which has been granted “garden village” status by the government.
Feedback received will be considered by the Tritax’s design team and incorporated into a final vision document which will be the shared blueprint for Whetstone Pastures between the project partners and nearby residents.
Blaby District Council leader councillor Terry Richardson said: “Tritax are doing the first stage of public consultation but there will be many more opportunities for people to have their say.
“I know people might suggest this is a done deal, but it isn’t.
“As a council we can’t bury our heads in the sand and ignore developments.
“It’s right that we should be part of the conversation to make sure this, if it gets permission, is the right development and is good quality.”
Tritax Symmetry planning director Sinead Turnbull said: “Whetstone Pastures is an opportunity to deliver significant and lasting benefits to the district and we are excited to work in collaboration with the local community and stakeholders to shape our collective ideas. The proposed vision is set out on the new website and a series of public engagement activities will be held between now and February.
“The aim is to stimulate discussion, generate feedback and draw upon the knowledge, creativity and skills of existing communities in South Leicestershire to ensure we collectively create the best possible vision for Whetstone Pastures.
“Everyone will have the opportunity to get involved through the website, surveys, social media, community newsletters, project email, telephone and Freepost address.
“We aim to have as many more inperson public events as soon as possible in order to reach as many people as we can including community and design-led events, citizens panels and public exhibitions as we move through each stage.
“Hopefully, as many people as possible will get involved and share their thoughts and ideas for creating a new community of which we and future generations can be proud.”
To have your say, visit:
whetstonepastures.co.uk