It’s time to protect Charnwood Forest from development

In support of Aidan Reed’s letter (Echo, February 3, 2021), we should point out that the open space Nanpantan residents are acting to protect at Leconfield is firmly in Charnwood Forest. The current and forthcoming local plans make strong policy statements on the importance of protecting the forest. Now is the time for the council to put these policies into effect.

The 2019 Charnwood Forest Landscape Character Assessment commissioned by the council says that development will only take place in secluded areas. Leconfield is on a hill that can be seen from the centre of Loughborough and the Wolds!

The local plan says it will “protect and enhance the Charnwood Forest Regional Park and support the aims of the National Forest Strategy”. A principal objective of the strategy is to reduce fragmentation. The Leconfield development will separate the ancient Burleigh and Holywell Woods from the rest of the forest. How on Earth is this reducing fragmentation?

The local plan also aims to protect and enhance our “Urban Fringe Green Infrastructure Enhancement Areas”. Leconfield is in the Loughborough/Shepshed Enhancement Area. The council specifically states it will “address the identified needs in open space provision in this area”. Is the council addressing these needs by building on the last unallocated open space in the area when it has identified that we have only 25 per cent of our provision?

The protection of Leconfield is vital to the biodiversity of Charnwood Forest and the critical shortage of open space adversely impacts the health and wellbeing of residents. The council will soon have the opportunity to apply its own and national policies in demonstrating that it cares about our environment and our residents.

David Mulvaney, Nanpantan Ward Residents’ Group