Hearings starting on borough’s Local Plan

PUBLIC hearings as part of the scrutiny process for a council’s planning strategy will begin next week.

Charnwood Borough Council’s Local Plan is being examined at Loughborough Town Hall from Tuesday.

The council submitted the plan, covering 2021-37 to government last year after several years of development.

It identifies how the borough will meet increased government targets for homes, as well as providing employment land and infrastructure.

The plan identifies 154 hectares of employment land to support the creation of 8,900 jobs in the borough

It allocates land for 1,111 extra homes each year up to 2037, focused on extending existing urban and suburban areas and larger villages.

Five more schools and health facilities are also included.

Independent planning inspectors are assessing whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and is sound.

The sessions are open for the public to attend but people cannot make representations unless they have already been invited to do so by the local plan programme officer.

Councillor Richard Bailey, the lead member for planning, said: “The public hearings are all part of the local plan process which is rightly subjected to intense scrutiny.

“This helps to ensure we get the best plan for Charnwood and one which delivers growth in a sustainable way and helps safeguard our environment and build strong communities.

“The examination process is entirely independent of the council.”

The final public hearing is on Friday, July 22.

For more details on the local plan, the examination process and the full timetable of sessions, visit: