Have your say on future developments in borough

OVER the next few weeks, residents, local businesses and others with an interest in the borough are invited to give their views on the next stage of the review of the Hinckley and Bosworth plan.

The Local Plan is the key planning document for the borough and it will identify sites to meet housing and employment needs and set out policies to guide development and respond to economic, environmental and social issues.

It is also the strategic framework for Neighbourhood Development Plans.

The purpose of this consultation on the New Directions for Growth document is to seek views on how the borough should grow in the future and where new housing and employment development should be located.

Leader of the council, Councillor Mike Hall, said: “It’s vital that the council has sufficient sites allocated to build the homes that we need for the next 15 to 20 years.

“Whilst many sites have already been allocated around the urban area and some sites have come forward in larger villages we need to identify, if possible, sites for new villages.

“We need to know which existing villages may need to expand to protect their local services such as shops, pubs and schools, but if we are to prevent further expansion in areas which already have plans to grow, we shall need new sites to come forward where new communities can be created.”

A ‘Call for Sites’ exercise is also being held alongside the consultation and residents and landowners are invited to submit sites which may have the potential for development to be considered in the local plan review.

As well as being available to view and download on the website, printed copies of the document will be located at libraries within the borough and at the Hinckley Hub.

A series of drop-in events where planning officers will be present to answer questions, discuss views and provide advice on how to submit comments, will also be held during the consultation.

Further details on the Local Plan consultation, including ‘Call for Sites’ and drop-in events can be found on the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council website.

The consultation will run for eight weeks and ends on Sunday March 3.