Blaby District Local Development Framework

Revocation of the East Midlands Regional Plan - Implications for Blaby District - 20th July 2010.

Representatives from Braunstone Town Council attended a briefing meeting prior to the Blaby District Council Meeting on 20th July 2010. The briefing had been arranged to give a "Housing Numbers Update" following the revocation of Regional Strategies and housing targets by the Government . It was proposed that Blaby District Council adopt the following policies (decision deferred until September 2010):

380 dwellings per annum in the District of Blaby during the period 2006-2026

At least 250 of these dwellings to be located in the Principal Urban Area (northern parishes adjoining Leicester - LFE, KIrby Muxloe, Glenfield, Braunstone Town etc)

The remaining requirement of 130 dwellings per annum to be provided in the rural parishes.

Further investigation be undertaken to establish any alternative housing requirements.

A Community Engagement programme be prepared involving Town and Parish Councils.

In May 2010 Blaby DC refused an application for 250 Dwellings and employment development (maximum 30ha) at Kirby Road/Ratby Lane, Glenfield. Planning Applications could however be forthcoming for large scale housing developments in Kirby Muxloe, LFE and Lubbesthorpe. Access to 4,500 new dwellings at Lubbesthorpe could be from Meridian Way in Braunstone Town.

Revocation of East Midlands Regional Plan (6th July 2010)

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government announced on the 6th July 2010 that he had revoked all Regional Strategies with immediate effect. This included the East Midlands Regional Plan. Decision making powers on planning would be given to district councils. The Regional Strategy included a house building target of 8650 houses within Blaby District upto 2026 .

Whilst councils are being given discretion as to the number of houses they choose to provide housing numbers must be based on justifiable and robust evidence of housing need. Local planning Authorities should also have a five year supply of land.

Parish Councils invited to Briefing

Representatives from each Parish area are being invited to attend a meeting about Housing Numbers etc to be held on 20th July 2010.

The briefing is being arranged by Blaby District Council to give an understanding of the implications of the Secretary of States announcement that Regional Spatial Strategies are to be revoked.

Proposed SUE – 4500 houses at Lubbesthorpe – Planning Application Delayed.

It has previously been reported that it was likely that David Locke Associates would carry out ‘pre application’ public consultation in July 2010 and make a formal planning Application in September 2010. It is now understood that David Locke Associates may carry out the consultation in September 2010.

Meeting with Planning Officers Delayed (15th June 2010)

Braunstone Town Council have received a reply from Blaby District following a request for a meeting with representatives from Braunstone Town, Enderby and LFE Parish Councils to discuss housing targets and the proposed planning application for 4500 new homes at Lubbesthorpe. Blaby say that the Government has yet to issue transitional guidance. It was therefore suggested that a meeting with the three parish/town councils be delayed until further information became available.

Meeting with Braunstone Town, Enderby and LFE Parish Council Representatives (3/06/10)

The Meeting had been called at the request of LFE Parish Council to discuss the proposals for a Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) comprising 4,500 new dwellings at Lubbesthorpe. Representatives from the parishes set out their main concerns which included the possible adverse impact on air quality arising from increased traffic, accessing the site from either the A47 Hinckley Road and via a proposed bridge over the M1 onto Meridian Way. There were concerns as to whether the proposed number of houses was still appropriate in the light of other developments in the District. Parish representatives were also concerned that the necessary schools, shops and community facilities may not be provided until the later stages of the development. (The views expressed were preliminary views only – taking into account the information currently made available. Representatives would need to reserve their final views until they were in full possession of all the arguments for and against.

It was resolved to invite Planning Officers from Blaby District Council to a further joint meeting.

Abolition of Regional Strategies (27th May 2010)

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has written to all District Councils setting out the Governments intention to rapidly abolish Regional Strategies and return decision making powers on housing and planning to local councils. Consequently decisions on housing supply will rest with Local Planning Authorities without the framework of regional numbers and plans (Previously the East Midlands Regional Plan set out a target of 8,500 new houses in Blaby District during the plan period of 2001 to 2016 – 4500 of these were proposed at Lubbesthorpe).

REFUSAL of Planning Application for 250 Dwellings and employment development (maximum 30ha), - Land at Kirby Road/Ratby Lane Glenfield Leicester (May 2010)

Blaby District Council has refused the application on the grounds that the applicant failed to demonstrate the full imact of the proposed development in that the Transport Assessment is not complete and as such does not allow for an adequate assessment to be made of the impact of the development upon the functioning and safe flow of traffic on the surrounding highway netwok and consequently it is not possible to determine an appropriate strategy of highway mitigation.

Planning Application for 250 Dwellings and employment development (maximum 30ha), - Land at Kirby Road/Ratby Lane Glenfield Leicester (March 2010)

Planning Application 10/0118/1/OX

During November and December 2008 Blaby District Council asked local residents and local businesses what they thought would be the best locations for the 8,650 houses and a large employment site which are required within the District up to 2026. A number of initial options were put forward for large scale housing growth including the following:-

SITE A Glenfield - 90 Hectares
SITE B Kirby Muxloe - 170 Hectares - 3500 new homes
SITE C Lubbesthorpe - 430 Hectares - 5000 new homes
(Access road could be from Meridian Way Thorpe Astley)

A Planning Application has now been received by Blaby District Council for 'SITE A' The last date for consultations to be fowarded to Blaby District Council is 25/03/2010

Outline application for employment development (B1, B2 and B8) (maximum 30ha), residential development (maximum 250 dwellings), provision of a local retail / community facility (maximum 1400 sq m), associated landscaping, open space and infrastructure with vehicular accesses off Kirby Road and Ratby Lane.

A recent report to Blaby District Councils Cabinet has also indicated that an application could shortly be received for Site C.

Local Development Framework - Cabinet Agree Revised Scheme - 22 Feb 2010

The previous scheme is out of date and attracted a large number of objections to detailed plans showing a Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) with 4500 new homes to the west of the M1 at Lubbesthorpe.

The alternative approach now taken by Blaby is to delete the Proposals Map which showed the boundaries of the sites. The Key Diagram will remain unchanged. This shows an asterisk in the general area between LFE/ Braunstone Town and Enderby to denote the proposed SUE and a circle with an internal cross between Enderby and the M69 to denote a proposed Employment Site (SES).

Planning Applications could be received in late spring/early summer.

The Cabinet Report suggested that a key issue in the revised approach is the strong likelihood that a planning application for a SUE/SES in the area between LFE/Braunstone Town/Enderby will be received by the Council in late spring/early summer.
It is anticipated that a great deal of the evidence that Blaby Council would have to assemble, if it pursued the more site specific approach, will be provided by the developer in support of the planning application, e.g. Environmental and Transport Impact Assessments.

The Revised Blaby District Local Development Scheme was agreed at the Cabinet Meeting held on 22nd February 2010. The Scheme will now be submitted to the Secretary of State.

Blaby District Local Development Framework Core Strategy - could be unsound

The public consultation period for the Blaby District Local Development Framework Core Strategy closed on 10 September 2009. Blaby District Council received over 700 representations from a wide range of individuals and agencies. By far the largest number were from residents of LFE objecting to the proposed Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) between LFE/Braunstone Town/Enderby

The Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) has concluded that the Core Strategy should not be submitted to Government in September 2009, as originally intended as there would be an extremely high risk that the document would be found to be unsound if it proceeded to Examination in its present state.

Environmental and Transport Impact Assessments Required

It will be necessary for Blaby District Council to supplement the existing LDF evidence base with Environmental and Transport Impact Assessments in order to respond to the representations on the Core Strategy received in September 2009, e.g. transport impacts.

The Core Strategy Development Plan Document

The Core Strategy is the Government’s suggested priority. It is considered advantageous to also include some generic Development Control Policies within this document in order that they have the benefit of the full weight of Development Plan status as soon as possible.
Should Blaby District Council wish to continue to propose Strategic Allocations and show these on a Proposals Map, it would
need to undertake further site specific work in order to satisfy the comments made by GOEM.

Blaby District Councils Possible Alternative Approach

An alternative approach would be for Blaby District Council to revise its Core Strategy by deleting the Proposals Map which shows the proposed Strategic Allocations and amending its policies to refer to non site specific “Strategic Locations”. In brief, the Proposals Map would no longer be part of the Core Strategy, however, the Key Diagram would remain unchanged. This shows an asterisk in the general area between LFE/ Braunstone Town and Enderby to denote a proposed SUE and a circle with an internal cross between Enderby and the M69 to denote a proposed SES.

The level of evidence required to inform and support a Strategic Locations approach is less detailed than a Strategic Allocations approach.

Planning Applications could received in late spring/early summer.

The Cabinet Report suggests that a key issue in the consideration of the Strategic Allocation or Strategic Location approach is the strong likelihood that a planning application for a SUE/SES in the area between LFE/Braunstone Town/Enderby will be received by the Council in late spring/early summer.
It is anticipated that a great deal of the evidence that Blaby Council would have to assemble, if it pursued the Strategic Allocations approach, will be provided by the developer in support of the planning application, e.g. Environmental and Transport Impact Assessments.

Public Consultation on Planning Applications

Public consultation on the planning application would be an intrinsic part of the process. The District Council and the organisations that it would consult, e.g. Leicestershire County
Council, would need to critically appraise the material received to ensure that it represents “good development” before Blaby arrives at a decision whether to grant or refuse planning permission.

Key Dates if Revised Local Development Framework is adopted.

Document	Date of Public Consultatuion	Date of Submission to Sectretary of State	Proposed Date of Adoption
Local Development Sccheme	N/A	February 2010	March 2010
Core Strategy	Completed in Nov/Dec 2008	February 2011	April 2012
Sustainable Urban Extension - Action Plan	July - August 2012	June 2013	July 2014
Allocations and Designations	March - April 2013	March 2014	July 2015

Blaby District Local Development Framework Update - January 2010

The public consultation period for the Blaby District Local Development Framework Core Strategy closed on 10 September 2009. Blaby District Council has received over 700 representations from a wide range of individuals and agencies. By far the largest number are from residents of LFE objecting to the proposed Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) between LFE/Braunstone Town/Enderby. These objections cover a variety of reasons.

The representation from the Government Office for the East Midlands (GOEM) contains some concerns over the readiness of the Strategic Allocations for submission, i.e. the SUE and the Strategic Employment Site (SES). There are also representations from others which cover issues other than the proposed SUE. Some of these are key to the next stage of preparing the LDF and ensuring that the submitted Core Strategy meets the test of “soundness”. Consequently, the Core Strategy was not submitted to the Secretary of State in September 2009 as initially intended. More »

It is now necessary for the District Council to supplement its existing evidence base in a number of subject areas, for example, evidence of the impact of the SUE and SES on the local and strategic highway network. This supplementary work will require additional time. It is therefore intended that the District Council’s Cabinet consider a revised LDF timetable (known as the “Local Development Scheme” ( LDS )) in Spring 2010. The revised LDS will contain a new date for the submission of the Core Strategy to Government. The Council will publish any revisions to the Core Strategy for public consultation before this submission is made.
Gary Clark
Planning Policy Manager

22 January 2010

4500 New Homes - On Line Petition Started (Dec. 09)

4500 New Homes - Decision Delayed (Nov. 2009)

In September 2009 Braunstone Town Council raised objections to Blaby District Councils Local Development Framework which proposed that 4500 new homes be built to the West of the M1. The proposed access was via a bridge over the M1 leading onto Meridian Way - Thorpe Astley.

Blaby District Council has received more than 600 letters opposing the plans. It was expected that the plans would be forwarded to the Secretary of State in September , but this has now been postponed until later in the year. A new submission date will be agreed when Blaby have had an opportunity to consider all the representations. More »

Braunstone Town Council was concerned that, given the proximity of the site to the M1 Air Quality Management Area, poor air quality would have an adverse effect upon the health of not only new residents but also upon existing residents of Braunstone Town and LFE.

Braunstone Town Council Response to Blaby District Council Local Development Framework Core Strategy (August 2009)

Blaby District Council’s planning policy team held a public consultation event at the Civic Centre on July 30. The matter was considered at Braunstone Town Council's Plans & Environment Committee Meeting on 27th August 2009.
The Local Development Framework proposes a development for 10,000 people with 4500 new homes at Lubbesthorpe. Access to the new mixed use and housing site would be via a bridge to be built over M1 from the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way (via Meridian Way Thorpe Astley). There will also be a 20 hectare site for factories/offices south of the M69 at the Warrens Enderby. A bridge from New Housing Site over M69 would link the proposed factories/office site.It is also possible that there will be a Public Transport link along Watergate Lane.

Representations need to be forwarded to Planning Policy Section, Blaby District Council, Council Offices, Narborough, LE19 2EP by 10th SEPTEMBER 2009.

Braunstone Town Council have forwarded the following observations to Blaby District Council:

Policy 2 – Design Development

Details of why Braunstone Town Council considers the DPD is not legally compliant or is unsound:-

The Policy is not compliant with the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 – 2026 Resource Management Policy 1 which states that all development will minimise or avoid air, noise, water, land and light pollution.

Furthermore, in accordance with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the East Midlands (RSS8) March 2005 an objective for the design for new developments should be to improve the health of the region’s residents through improved air quality, etc.

Change(s) Braunstone Town Council consider to be necessary:-

The Local Development Framework Policy 2 should be compliant with the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 – 2026 Resource Management Policy 1 objectives as follows:-

All new development will minimise or avoid air, noise, water, land and light pollution.

Regard will be given to the individual and cumulative impact of potentially polluting development in considering whether it would have an unacceptable effect on the environment.

Decisions concerning new sites for environmentally sensitive development will take account of the detrimental effects of existing and proposed sources of pollution.

Policy 3 – Sustainable Urban Extension

Details of why Braunstone Town Council considers the DPD is not legally compliant or is unsound:-

Policy 3 – Sustainable Urban Extensions, requires that a Masterplan should be prepared which should “include appropriate measures to mitigate the noise and air quality impacts of traffic using the M1 and M69 motorways”. Braunstone Town Council considers this Policy to be totally inadequate and unsound.

The Sustainability Appraisal (November 2008) recognises that, given the proximity of the site to the M1 Air Quality Management Area, poor air quality would have an adverse effect upon the health of new residents to the SUE. The Policy in its present form appears to require assessments of the traffic and congestion impact upon the M1 and M69 motorways rather than upon the detrimental effects of pollution on the health of local residents living in the SUE and existing residential areas of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley and LFE.

There are Air Quality Management areas affecting Braunstone Town (M1 Corridor, Narborough Road South and Fosse Park). The proposals, together with other determined but as yet completed developments (Grove Park, Meridian Business Park, Thorpe Astley and Parkers (Braunstone Lane Office Blocks)), have the potential to increase traffic flows and have a further adverse effect on air quality in Braunstone Town and Leicester Forest East.

Braunstone Town Council objects to a Sustainable Urban Extension in a single location. New houses should only be built where facilities are already in place. Urban extensions with limited access to facilities (such as Thorpe Astley) must be avoided in the future. The development of a range of sites would enable future residents to have access to existing services.

The Policy is not compliant with:-

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 – 2016 Resource Management Policy 1.
The East Midlands Regional Plan (March 2009) Policy 36
Planning Policy Statement 23 (Appendix A)
Planning Policy 3, Paragraph 36

The Braunstone Town Parish Plan published in November 2003 aims to secure the adoption, as Supplementary Planning Guidance measures identified by the community to improve and endorse the quality of the environment. 86% of respondents to the Parish Plan Survey thought that the open countryside to the west of the M1 should be preserved and designated as Green Wedge in the Local Plan.

Change(s) Braunstone Town Council consider to be necessary:-

The absence of Air Quality Assessment on the cumulative effects of the proposals, together with other multiple developments, is a serious omission. The effect upon the health of existing residents in Braunstone Town (together with new residents to the SUE) MUST be considered. Braunstone Town Council is vigorously opposed to a highway link across the M1 from the SUE onto Meridian Way.

Braunstone Town Council considers Policy 3 to be unsafe as the wording of the Masterplan does not require measures to assess the impact on the health of local residents. Air Quality Assessments must be provided to assess the impact of the proposed developments on the local highway network and also on existing residential areas adjacent to the M1 and M69 Motorways.

Policy 4 – Strategic Employment Site

Details of why Braunstone Town Council considers the DPD is not legally compliant or is unsound:-

Policy 4 – Strategic Employment Site, proposes that a new link will be required across the M69 in order to link with the SUE (Policy 3) north of the M69, giving potential to increase further traffic flows along the proposed link from the SUE to Meridian Way. Policy 3 – Sustainable Urban Extension, requires that a Masterplan should be prepared which should “include appropriate measures to mitigate the noise and air quality impacts of traffic using the M1 and M69 motorways”. Braunstone Town Council considers this Policy to be totally inadequate and unsound.

The Sustainability Appraisal (November 2008) recognises that, given the proximity of the site to the M1 Air Quality Management Area, poor air quality would have an adverse effect upon the health of new residents to the SUE. The Policy in its present form appears to require assessments of the traffic and congestion impact upon the M1 and M69 motorways rather than upon the detrimental effects of pollution on the health of local residents living in the SUE and existing residential areas of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley and LFE. The Strategic Employment Site is adjacent to the M1/M69 intersection and with the prevailing south westerly wind is likely to have an adverse impact on Air Quality, Noise and Light pollution in the area of Braunstone Town.

There are Air Quality Management areas affecting Braunstone Town (M1 Corridor, Narborough Road South and Fosse Park). The proposals, together with other determined but as yet completed developments (Grove Park, Meridian Business Park, Thorpe Astley and Parkers (Braunstone Lane Office Blocks)), have the potential to increase traffic flows and have a further adverse effect on air quality in Braunstone Town and Leicester Forest East.

The Policy is not compliant with:-

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 – 2016 Resource Management Policy 1.
The East Midlands Regional Plan (March 2009) Policy 36
Planning Policy Statement 23 (Appendix A)
Planning Policy 3, Paragraph 36

Change(s) Braunstone Town Council consider to be necessary:-

The absence of Air Quality Assessment on the cumulative effects of the proposals, together with other multiple developments, is a serious omission. The effect upon the health of existing residents in Braunstone Town (together with new residents to the SUE) MUST be considered. Braunstone Town Council is vigorously opposed to a proposed highway link across the M69 to the SUE and from across the M1 onto Meridian Way.

Braunstone Town Council considers the Policy to be unsafe as the wording of the Masterplan does not require measures to assess the impact on the health of local residents. Air Quality Assessments must be provided to assess the impact of the proposed developments on the local highway network and also on existing residential areas adjacent to the M1 and M69 Motorways.

Policy 9 – Transport Infrastructure

Details of why Braunstone Town Council considers the DPD is not legally compliant or is unsound:-

Policy 9 – Transport Infrastructure, proposes that a new link across the M1 will be required to link the SUE with Meridian Way and Lubbesthorpe Way and that an improved link across the M69 to the proposed Strategic Employment Site at Enderby will be required. Policy 3 – Sustainable Urban Extension, requires that a Masterplan should be prepared which should “include appropriate measures to mitigate the noise and air quality impacts of traffic using the M1 and M69 motorways”. Braunstone Town Council considers this Policy to be totally inadequate and unsound.

The Sustainability Appraisal (November 2008) recognises that, given the proximity of the site to the M1 Air Quality Management Area, poor air quality would have an adverse effect upon the health of new residents to the SUE. The Policy in its present form appears to require assessments of the traffic and congestion impact upon the M1 and M69 motorways rather than upon the detrimental effects of pollution on the health of local residents living in the SUE and existing residential areas of Braunstone Town, Thorpe Astley and LFE. The Strategic Employment Site is adjacent to the M1/M69 intersection and with the prevailing south westerly wind is likely to have an adverse impact on Air Quality, Noise and Light pollution in the area of Braunstone Town.

There are Air Quality Management areas affecting Braunstone Town (M1 Corridor, Narborough Road South and Fosse Park). The proposals, together with other determined but as yet completed developments (Grove Park, Meridian Business Park, Thorpe Astley and Parkers (Braunstone Lane Office Blocks)), have the potential to increase traffic flows and have a further adverse effect on air quality in Braunstone Town and Leicester Forest East.

The Policy is not compliant with:-

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 – 2016 Resource Management Policy 1.
The East Midlands Regional Plan (March 2009) Policy 36
Planning Policy Statement 23 (Appendix A)
Planning Policy 3, Paragraph 36

Change(s) Braunstone Town Council consider to be necessary:-

The absence of Air Quality Assessment on the cumulative effects of the proposals, together with other multiple developments, is a serious omission. The effect upon the health of existing residents in Braunstone Town (together with new residents to the SUE) MUST be considered. Braunstone Town Council is vigorously opposed to a proposed highway link across the M69 to the SUE and from across the M1 onto Meridian Way.

Braunstone Town Council considers the Policy to be unsafe as the wording of the Masterplan does not require measures to assess the impact on the health of local residents. Air Quality Assessments must be provided to assess the impact of the proposed developments on the local highway network and also on existing residential areas adjacent to the M1 and M69 Motorways.

Policy 10 – Services and Facilities to support growth of New Developments

Details of why Braunstone Town Council considers the DPD is not legally compliant or is unsound:-

Braunstone Town Council objects to a Sustainable Urban Extension in a single location. New houses should only be built where facilities are already in place. Urban extensions with limited access to facilities (such as Thorpe Astley) must be avoided in the future. The development of a range of sites would enable future residents to have access to existing services.

The Policy is not compliant with Planning Policy 3, Paragraph 36.

Change(s) Braunstone Town Council consider to be necessary :-

Planning Policy Statement 3 sets out the Government’s Policy to ensure that housing is developed in suitable locations which offer a range of community facilities and with good access to jobs, key services and infrastructure. This should be achieved by making effective use of land, existing infrastructure and available public and private investment, and include consideration of the opportunity for housing provision on surplus public sector land (including land owned by Central Government and its bodies or Local Authorities) to create mixed use developments. The Priority for new development should be previously developed land, in particular vacant and derelict sites and buildings.

Public Consultation event - 30th July 2009.

Blaby District Council’s planning policy team held a public consultation event at the Civic Centre on July 30.

The Local Development Framework proposes a development for 10,000 people at Lubbesthorpe. Access to new housing site will be via a bridge to be built over M1 from the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way (Meridian Way Thorpe Astley)? There will also be a bridge from New Housing Site over M69 to link the the proposed 20 hectare factories/office site at Enderby. It is also possible that there will be a Public Transport link along Watergate Lane ? More »

The matter will be considered at Braunstone Town Councils Plans & Environment Committee Meeting on 27 August.

Representations have to be submitted to Blaby District Council by 10th September 2009.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK - AREA C - CHOSEN SITE OF BLABY DISTRICT COUNCIL!
JULY 2009

Plans to create a new community that will enable growth within Blaby district and provide much needed affordable housing have been proposed.

The new development, or Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE), forms part of Blabt District Council’s Core Strategy and will include 4,500 new homes to be built on land west of the M1 at Lubbesthorpe.

The Core Strategy, which sets out a vision for Blaby district until 2026, was agreed at the Blaby Council meeting on July 14 and will now go to six weeks of public consultation, before being submitted to the Government for independent examination next year.

The 442 hectare site chosen for development is adjacent to Beggars Lane and borders Leicester Forest East, Enderby and Braunstone Town.

The Council plans to protect the existing communities’ identities by designating new green wedge land in the area.

The proposed new development will supply homes for over 10,000 people, with four schools, health care facilities and around 3,000 sq metres of shopping area providing a host of new employment opportunities.

The Council will negotiate with the developer to ensure that 30 per cent of homes are affordable, which will help to meet the specific housing needs of the district.

The proposed site was chosen as it lies close to existing employment areas like the Meridian Business Park, and for its close proximity to retail facilities like Fosse Park.

Blaby District Council say that the site also has the potential to provide public transport options that could reduce journeys by car, particularly to Leicester City Centre with the land earmarked for development being close to the park and ride facilities currently being constructed in Enderby.

The Core Strategy is part of the Local Development Framework, which sets out a spatial plan for the district up until 2026, under government directives each council is required to produce these documents which must be in line with regional and national planning policies.

Blaby District Council’s planning policy team will begin the public consultation process on July 30 this year, including exhibitions at:-
Enderby Civic Centre (August 3),
Braunstone Civic Centre (August 13)
Leicester Forest East Parish Hall (August 18),
Officers will be at each venue from 3.30-9pm.

Residents will have the chance to view the strategy and talk through any questions with members of the planning policy team. They will also be able to submit formal comments which will be given to the Planning Inspectorate to be taken into account along with the submitted document.

Blaby District Councils Local Development Framework Timetable (June 09)

Future Stages
Work is now focused on preparing the version of the Core Strategy to submit to the Secretary of State in September 2009.

The Key Stages up to submission are as follows;
• 16 June 2009 – Presentations by the promoters of the
SUEs/SES (open to all members of BDC).
• 1 July 2009 – Special meeting of the Scrutiny Commission
(open to all Members of BDC).
• 9 July 2009 – Members’ Seminar (open to all Members of
BDC).
• 14 July 2009 – Special Meeting of the Cabinet Executive.
• 14 July 2009 – Council (to agree Submission CS).
• July – September 2009 – 6 week consultation period.
• September 2009 – Submit CS to the Secretary of State

Key Stages after Submission
The following stages are subject to confirmation by the Planning
Inspectorate;
• January 2010 – Pre-Examination meeting.
• April 2010 – Examination
• November 2010 – Adoption of the CS by BDC.

Sustainable Urban Extensions

During November and December 2008 Blaby District Council will be asking residents and local businesses what they think would be the best locations for the 8,650 houses and a large employment site which are required within the District up to 2026. The Council will also be asking for the views of the community and development experts to establish the best location for a large ‘Sustainable Urban Extension’ (of some 4,000 houses). It also has to identify which villages within the District are most able to accommodate more houses and other development.

A number of initial options have been put forward for large scale housing growth including the following

SITE A Glenfield - 90 Hectares
SITE B Kirby Muxloe - 170 Hectares - 3500 new homes
SITE C Lubbesthorpe - 430 Hectares - 5000 new homes
(Access road could be from Meridian Way Thorpe Astley)

Three options have also been put forward for Strategic Employment sites around Glenfield and Enderby.

The document also considers issues such as how to address renewable energy and climate change, the future of Green Wedges and the future role of Fosse Park.

At this stage, none of the options in the document represents the policy of the Council. All the ideas and suggestions received will be considered and will be used in the production of the next version of the Core Strategy. This will be submitted to the Government for consideration in the summer of 2009 and will then be considered by an Independent Panel at a Public Examination, which is likely to be held early in 2010. The Panel’s findings following the examination must be followed by the Council.

The Council would like as many people as possible who live, work or otherwise use the District of Blaby to put forward their views on the Alternative Options. They can do this during a 6 week consultation exercise on the draft Core Strategy which will take place in November and December 2008.

They can do this by attending one of the exhibitions which will be held around the District. Planning officers will there to answer questions and give more details on the proposals. There will also be . Static exhibitions at the Council offices in Narborough, Braunstone Town Civic Centre and Blaby Connect Service Shop. Copies of the Alternative Options paper will also be available at all libraries in the District.

CONSULTATION DATES
Blaby District Council will be holding its consultation dates as follows:-
Stoney Stanton - 11 November (4.00pm to 8.30pm) Village Hall

Enderby - 24 November (4.00pm - 9.00pm) Civic Centre

Kirby Muxloe - 26 November (4.00pm to 8.30pm) Parish Council Chamber

Countesthorpe - 3 December (4.00pm - 8.30pm) Village Hall

Glenfield - 8 December (4.00pm - 8.30pm) Park House

LFE - 11 December (6.00pm - 9.00pm) Stafford Leys Community Centre

Braunstone Town - 16 December (4.00pm - 8.30pm) Civic Centre

An exhibition will also be available at the District Council offices, Narborough from 6 November to 18 December 2008 during normal working hours. The District Council needs to receive comments by Thursday 18 December 2008. For further details contact the Planning Policy Team on 0116 2727520 or email planning@blaby.gov.uk.

Leicestershire County Council set to support Site 'C'

Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Meeting to be held on 16th December is to receive a report supporting Site 'C' as a potential location for 4000 new homes. The report states "Site C has the best critical mass to provide adequate infrastructure and facilities, including transport infrastructure. However, it would need to be carefully designed to avoid damaging the Scheduled remains of Lubbesthorpe deserted medieval village, its associated archaeological remains, field system and setting".

Town Council wants to preserve open countryside.

Braunstone Town Council says the Local Development Framework Landscape Character Assessment, commissioned by Blaby District Council, recognises that there is a lack of green space within Braunstone Town (including Thorpe Astley). The Town Council believes the open countryside between the A47 and the M69 functions as ‘green lungs’ for Braunstone and provides much needed recreational open space. It also points out that 86% of the respondents to the Parish Plan Survey thought that the open countryside to the west of the M1 should be preserved and designated as Green Wedge. The area has been put forward as one of three options as a possible site for 4000 new homes.
Blaby District Council will be asking residents what they think of the proposals at a Public Exhibition - Braunstone Civic Centre 16th December (4.00-8.30pm)- THE CLOSING DATE FOR OBSERVATIONS 18th DECEMBER 2008

4000 NEW HOMES COULD BE BUILT WITH ACCESS FROM MERIDIAN WAY

At Braunstones Plans & Environment Committee Meeting on 11th December 2008 Town Councillors received details of proposals which could lead to 4000 new homes being built to the west of the M1 in Lubbesthorpe Parish. Access could be gained to the site by building a bridge over the M1 onto Meridian Way. There is also the possibility of a public transport link along Wartergate Lane. This is one of three sites being considered by Blaby Planners. The other options are at Leicester Forest East and Glenfield.
Braunstone Town Council objects to the Lubbesthorpe proposal given the proximity of the site to the M1 Air Quality Management Area. A Sustainability Appraisal commissioned by Blaby District Council states that poor air quality could have an adverse effect upon the health of residents.
The development of the Lubbesthorpe Site together with other determined but as yet completed developments (Grove Park, Meridian Business Park, Thorpe Astley and Parkers (Braunstone Lane office blocks)), have the potential to increase traffic flows and have a further adverse effect on air quality in Braunstone Town.

SHOULD FOSSE PARK BE DESIGNATED A TOWN CENTRE AND ALLOWED TO EXPAND ?

Braunstone Town Councils Plans & Environment Committee have raised objections to proposals for the expansion of Fosse Park as set out in Blaby District Councils latest Local Development Framework Document.
According to Town Councillors there is already a shortage of parking spaces and the local highway network is overloaded.
Fosse Park is located in an Air Quality Management area due to high levels of traffic pollution. The adverse effect on air quality in Braunstone Town has not been considered. Braunstone Town Council therefore objects to any further expansion of the Motorway Retail Area.
Blaby District Council will be asking residents and local businesses what they think about the proposals.

What Happens Next ?

At this stage, none of the options put forward represent the policy of Blaby District Council Council, however, the Alternative Options consultation will help to inform a subsequent version of the Core Strategy which will be submitted to the Government for consideration in the summer of 2009.

Blaby District Council will take account of representations received at this, and previous, stages of consultation when developing subsequent drafts. The next formal stage of consultation (submission version) will take place in the summer of 2009 for a period of 6 weeks. At this time, the document will be the subject of further public participation.

Local Development Framework Evidence Base

The LDF will be informed by wide-ranging research. This research forms part of the LDF evidence base; some of the evidence base is currently available for inspection on the web-site including: the Housing Needs Assessment, Employment Land Study, Urban Capacity Study, Issues Papers, Village Services Fact-File, Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Assessment, Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, Landscape Character Assessment , Climate Change Study, Blaby Retail Study, Phase 1 Vegetation & Habitat Survey, Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and Leicester and Leicestershire 'Housing Market Area' Employment Land Study (ELS)

IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PLEASE CONTACT - Executive Officer & Town Clerk - Mr Ian Laughton
Braunstone Town Council, Braunstone Civic Centre, 209 Kingsway, Braunstone Town, Leicester, LE3 2PP.

Telephone: 0116 2899270
Fax: 0116 2824785
Email: ianlaughton@braunstonetowncouncil.org.uk