Planning blueprint for 21,000 new homes adopted

A document which outlines where Charnwood Borough Council would like developers to build 21,216 homes has been given the go-ahead.

The minority Labour-run authority voted to adopt its 2021-2037 Local Plan - which examines how an area will develop and designates land to be used for housing, industry or green space - at a meeting on Monday night.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said of the 21,216 homes the plan makes provision for, 4,500 in Thurmaston, with a further 3,200 set for land west of Loughborough and 1,950 for land north of Birstall.

Birgitta Worrall, the council's lead member for planning, said the plan provided a "key framework" for development in Charnwood.

The document also includes provision for new schools as well as earmarking 73 hectares of land to support the expansion of the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park.

Worrall said: "It has been shaped by years of evidence gathering, consultation, and significant scrutiny from communities, developers, agencies, planning inspectors and my fellow councillors.

"The Local Plan not only identifies the locations for development in Charnwood, but also strengthens protection against unplanned development for areas with the greatest environmental importance."

Deborah Taylor, Conservative councillor for Anstey - where land has been earmarked for 714 homes - told members at the meeting she would vote against the plan.

"This is not a minor adjustment. It is fundamental change that will alter the character of Anstey forever," she said.

However, Conservative Brenda Seaton, councillor for Thurmaston, said without adopting a local plan the authority would "weaken its ability" to say where homes should be built.

She added: "By adopting this plan we retain control, we set clear expectations of developers.

"We can insist on infrastructure, on sustainability, and on contributions that benefit both new and existing communities. Importantly, we provide certainty."

Despite the plan only now being formally adopted, development has already begun on a significant number of the allocated sites, with several of the homes under construction.

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