Draft East Midlands Regional Plan - Proposal for 8,500 Houses

The Draft East Midlands Regional Plan published by East Midlands Regional Assembly suggested that there was a need for an extra 340 dwellings per annum in Blaby District and that the best opportunities to meet the bulk of the additional provision lie west of Leicester in Blaby (between the A47 and the M69).

Once approved by the Secretary of State the Regional Plan becomes part of the Development Plan for Blaby District . The District would then be obliged to meet the housing and employment requirements.
Braunstone Town Council lodged an objection in 2006. More detailed Statements were approved at our Plans & Environment Committee Meeting on 19th April 2007.

Representations submitted were considered by an independent Panel at an Examination in Public which commenced on 22nd May 2007 and continued until 19th July 2007.

The Three Cities Sub Area Policies were considered during the week commencing 25th June 2007 (Matter 9C - Leicestershire Issues). Braunstone Town Council was represented at the Examination by the Executive Officer & Town Clerk, who argued that Paragraph 5.10 should be amended so that specific sites could not be identified. Blaby District Councils representative also supported this view and stated that alternative sites could be found within the District. Both Blaby District and Braunstone Town Council's expressed the view that these matters should be decided locally in the Local Development Framework process. Barkby Parish Council expressed similar concerns about proposals for development east of Thurmaston and supported amendments to Para 5.10.

The Panel also listened to representations that Green Wedge Policies in Leicestershire should be decided by the Local Development Framework process. There were discussions centred around the numbers of new houses that will be required up to 2026. The Panel decided to ask the following question at an extra hearing held on 19th July 2007 at 9.30 - " If less/additional growth is to be recommended, how should this be accommodated in the Plan ?"
Braunstone Town Councils response is available in an Additional Written Statement dated 13th July 2007- SEE BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

PANEL REPORT PUBLISHED ON WEDNESDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2007
The Panel have recommended the deletion of detailed locations included in brackets in paragraph 5.10. They state that the degree of locational specificity in paragraph 5.10 goes beyond what is reasonable to be included in the draft strategy

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ?
There will be a further consultation of at least eight weeks on the Secretary of States proposed changes which will be published in the Spring of 2008.

WHEN WILL IT BE FINALISED ?
By Autumn 2008, the final version of the Regional Plan will be finalised and adopted as an official statutory document. Once it's been issued Blaby District Council will be required to consider any new development against this plan.

UPDATED 3/12/07

Key to the Plan below showing some of the mitigation measures suggested by the Highway Authority

1. Create strategic link to the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way

2. Linkages to Leicester Forest East for public transport, walking, cycling and local traffic, including possible bus only link to A47

3. Improve link between Enderby and A47 either upgrade Beggars Lane or provide new route on alternative alignment.

Plan showing proposals for housing

Draft East Midlands Regional Plan Amended

Braunstone Town Council lodged an objection in 2006 to the following wording contained in the Draft Regional Plan:-
"The best opportunities to meet the bulk of additional provision lie west of Leicester in Blaby (between the A47 and the M69) and north of Leicester in Charnwood (east of Thurmaston)" [SOURCE Three Cities SRS Policy - 1 Para 5.10- Draft East Midlands Regional Plan]
The Draft East Midlands Regional Plan published by East Midlands Regional Assembly suggested that there was a need for an extra 340 dwellings per annum in Blaby District and that the best opportunities to meet the bulk of the additional provision lie west of Leicester in Blaby (between the A47 and the M69).
Representations submitted were considered by an independent Panel at an Examination in Public which commenced on 22nd May 2007 and continued until 19th July 2007.
The Inspectors published Panel Report on 28th November which recommends the deletion of detailed locations included in brackets in paragraph 5.10. They state that the degree of locational specificity in paragraph 5.10 goes beyond what is reasonable to be included in the draft strategy.

Secretary of States Proposed Changes Published for Consultation (August 2008)

The consultation on the proposed changes will last until 5pm on 17th October 2008. The proposed changes documents are available for inspection at Braunstone Town Councils Offices or Click on the following link:-

With regard to the Three Cities Policy (paragraph 5.11)to which Braunstone Town Council objected, The Secretary of State agrees with the Panel that the locational references are too site specific for inclusion in the RSS policy. In paragraph 5.11 (re-numbered 4.2.28) "between the A47 and the M69)" and "(East of Thurmaston)" have been deleted.

Braunstone Town Councils - Plan & Environment Meeting (4/9/08)

Members of the Committee were pleased to note that the the site specific wording 'housing west of the M1 between the A47 and M69' had been deleted. However they decided to support Blaby District Councils objection to Policy SRS3 wording 'as necessary' and agreed that it introduced considerable uncertainly as to whether a sustainable urban extension was required in Blaby District

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