Plans to build 17,000 houses in Charnwood over the next 16 years approved

Councillors last night (Monday 21 June) gave their approval to the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37.

The plan sets out the land and infrastructure the borough needs over the next 16 years and meets the target of building 1,111 houses every year until 2037, as set by the Government.

The Borough Council also claims that by refocusing development on extending existing urban and suburban areas, they are protecting 100 square miles of countryside.

A six-week public consultation will commence within weeks.

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 as we emerge from the pandemic and look towards ensuring our undoubted assets realise their full potential.

“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.”

The plan:

• Identifies 154 hectares of employment land to support the creation of 8,900 jobs in the borough
• Meets the borough’s housing need - the target figure set by Government - by allocating land for the development of 1,111 'new sustainable and well-designed' homes each year up to 2037
• Focuses development towards intensifying and extending existing urban and suburban areas and larger villages, thereby protecting nearly 279 square kilometres of open countryside
• Plans for the critical mass of development needed to secure infrastructure - including five new schools at Loughborough, Shepshed, Barrow, Anstey and Syston - as well as health services, roads and public transport networks
• Will bring in an estimated £200 million in Section 106 money to pay for other improvements to facilities and amenities