Consultation to start on borough plans blueprint

RESIDENTS of Charnwood will soon be able to have their say on plans for 17,000 homes and major infrastructure development proposed to take shape over the next 16 years.

Borough councillors have approved the Charnwood Local Plan, which sets out to build six schools and to earmark almost 220 acres for offices and industrial development to create jobs between now and 2037.

A six-week public consultation will now take place on the proposals, with representations to be collected by Charnwood Borough Council and considered by the Planning Inspectorate.

The plan includes:

Three extensions to Garendon Park, Broadnook and Thorpebury, which will create 8,355 homes;

2,104 homes in Birstall, Thurmaston and Syston;

2,242 homes in Loughborough, which will become the “economic, social and cultural heart of the borough”;

1,878 homes in Shepshed, 1,819 homes in large villages, with 647 in

Anstey, 703 in Barrow and 345 in Sileby, and 815 homes in smaller villages;

New primary schools in Anstey, Barrow, Loughborough, Shepshed and Syston, partnership working on a school for Glenfield and an extension to Cossington Primary;

219 acres of employment land to be allocated, with 37 acres set aside for offices and 163 acres for light industrial developments.

Developers will be expected to pay £200 million in Section 106 money towards improvements to facilities and amenities.

Councillor Richard Bailey, lead member for planning, said: “The Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 is critical to the future prosperity and protection of our borough.

“This is a key strategic document in a key period in the borough’s history and I would encourage residents, businesses and all our partners to get involved in the public consultation next month.”

A 180-acre extension to Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park is also planned to support high-technology jobs.

The council has promised all the development will be kept away from areas of with a high environmental value, areas prone to flooding and that the character of the countryside will be protected.

Efforts will also be made to provide suitable public transport, including an increased number of bus services.

Special protection will be given to green wedges between housing developments and key wildlife biodiversity areas, including Watermead Country Park, Great Central Railway, the River Soar and the Grand Union Canal.

Once approved by the Planning Inspectorate, the document will replace the current Local Plan Core Strategy, which guides development in Charnwood up to 2028.

The consultation will take place from July 12 to August 23.

Full details of the proposals can be found on the council’s website.

COUNCIL SETS OUT ITS IDEAS THAT INCLUDE 17,000 HOMES