Local Plan Scrutiny Resumes

Hearing sessions on Charnwood’s local plan continued today  

A series of public hearings have restarted this month as part of the scrutiny process for Charnwood Borough Council’s Local Plan 2021 – 2037.   

It sets out the location of land and infrastructure needed for the development required to support the growth of the borough up to 2037.

It identifies how the borough plans to meet government targets for new homes, as well as providing employment land and critical infrastructure.

The sessions were paused last year for government appointed independent planning inspectors to examine the plan following concerns over Leicester’s unmet housing and employment need. 

Leicester is struggling to source enough land for the new homes and employment it needs in years to come. Councils in Leicestershire have agreed to work together to share this unmet need. 

The Charnwood local plan sets out a vision for growth in the area including objectives of sustainable development and the development strategy. Documents will be presented on urban capacity, Leicester and Leicestershire housing and economic needs, housing distribution development strategy and site selection.  

At the hearings at Loughborough Town Hall today the inspectors will hear representations relating to how Charnwood can accommodate some of Leicester’s unmet need. 

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. 

The Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 provides a ‘robust’ strategy for growth which simultaneously safeguards the environment and helps build healthy communities. It identifies how the borough will meet increased Government targets for new homes, as well as providing employment land and critical infrastructure.