Virus could result in a strategic plan review
CALL TO USE BROWNFIED SITES CREATED DUE TO PANDEMIC
LEICESTERSHIRE County Council county council says sites left empty because of the coronavirus crisis could be considered for development.
Sapcote resident Sharon Scott asked the council’s scrutiny committee if the authority’s plans to develop swathes of land across the county could be revised, as the impact of Covid-19 may leave many brownfield sites vacant.
She wanted to know if there would be a review of the Strategic Plan as well as the Strategic Growth Plan (SGP), which would involve many homes and a main road being built near her home.
The SGP sets out proposals to build a bypass from the A46 near
Syston, in an arc around the south and east of the city to join the M1 at a new motorway junction between Leicester and Lutterworth, before carrying on to the M69 near Hinckley.
It would create a corridor to support 38,000 homes and a number of employment sites.
The council said in its response Ms Scott’s concerns were most likely concerned with the SGP proposal.
It said: “It would therefore be a matter for the SGP partnership through the members advisory group and its constituent authorities to decide whether or not to carry out a review of that plan as a result of new evidence arising from the pandemic, and it would be for the partnership to identify the scope of that review.
“While the view of the partnership could not be preempted it was fair to assume any review would look at all new relevant evidence, including the supply and demand of land for development, including brownfield sites in the city and county.
“Regarding the timing of such a review, this would be a matter for the partnership.”
Ms Scott said she was aware Blaby District Council is reviewing its local plan and urged that disused parts of the city should be used before developing land on county council farms.
She told councillors more urban areas would become available as people switch to home working, while the growth in online shopping may leave many shopping centres vacant and free for redevelopment as housing.
She also said the money earmarked for strategic development areas could be better spent on providing high-quality broadband to rural communities, particularly in south west Leicestershire, where many residents work in service industries.
Councillor Simon Galton, chairman of the scrutiny committee, said in reply: “A review of all the county council’s key policies is likely to be undertaken as part of the planned recovery from the pandemic.
“Covid-19 has impacted working practices and travel and shopping.
“Businesses will no doubt review whether any changes enforced through this period become new established practices.
“The county council remains committed to supporting economic and housing growth in the county.
“Supporting large, sustainable developments and the provision of high-quality superfast broadband are key elements of the county council’s approach.
“As part of its work on recovery, and taking account of pressures on the public purse, market conditions and other societal changes post Covid-19, the county council will necessarily be reviewing its spending priorities.”