Residents stage peaceful protest to save open space
Around 250 people gather in opposition to housing proposal
NANPANTAN residents have staged a peaceful protest against plans for a development they claim will take away the last remaining open space in the area.
On Saturday morning (August 29) around 250 Nanpantan residents took part in the socially-distanced protest against the proposed building of 25 houses on open space at land to the west of Leconfield Road, Nanpantan.
The protest was organised by Nanpantan Ward Residents’ Group which claims Nanpantan has less open space than any other ward in Loughborough.
Chairman Steve Cuff said: “Residents are demanding to know why the Council is even considering permitting developers to build on our last open space when Nanpantan has only two hectares of open space.
“The Council’s 2020 Corporate Strategy has three strands, the first of these is ’Caring for the Environment’ which states the Council will protect and enhance open spaces. Is this just to be ignored - how does building on open space protect it? As far as the residents of Nanpantan are concerned this is a simple choice for the Council - do they care for our wellbeing, or not?”
And David Mulvaney, a member of the Nanpantan Ward Residents’ Group added: “As this is our last open space, if the Council allows these houses to be built in Nanpantan then current and future residents will never have the open space provision that Local and National policies say we should have.”
Charnwood Borough Coun Margaret Smidowicz who attended the protest said: “This is the last open space in Nanpantan as the rest belongs to the University or has been allocated to the Science and Enterprise Park.
“It was not considered suitable 10 years ago and should not be considered now.
“This year, we have all been made acutely aware of the importance of open space for the wellbeing of residents. There are many studies, including the recent Public Health England report on ‘Improving access to greenspace’, that link open space and wellbeing. Surely, we need to be listening to our residents at this time.”
And Coun Geoff Parsons added; “Green spaces like this are incredibly important for people. This isn’t “nimby’ i sm ”.... this is the people of Nan pan tan at their very best collectively and sensibly protecting their community. I support them wholeheartedly in this effort.”