Charnwood Council to debate plans to build over 17,000 houses in the next 16 years

The Borough Council will debate the new 'Local Plan' next month.

The proposals sets out how the borough will meet increased Government targets for new homes, as well as providing employment land and infrastructure.

The plan also hopes to create nearly 9,000 jobs.

It will be considered by Cabinet on June 10 and Council on June 21. If approved, there will be a six-week public consultation in July and August. Representations will be collected by the council but will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate.

Councillor Richard Bailey, lead member for planning, said: “The Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 sets a clear path for how the borough will emerge from the pandemic with a programme supporting economic growth, environmental safeguards and healthy communities.

The Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37:

• Identifies 154 hectares of employment land to support the creation of 8,900 jobs in the borough and lead its pandemic recovery
• 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
• Reflects the importance of the environment and conserving biodiversity, protecting heritage sites, creating open leisure spaces and supporting healthier communities
• Carefully considers of the effects of climate change and how to reduce its impacts, including flooding
• Makes effective use of the borough’s strategic infrastructure, including Loughborough University, the urban edge of Leicester and the International Gateway connection to the M1 motorway and East Midlands Airport