Council Executive ‘Reluctantly’ Recommends Extra Homes Are Built Across Harborough

Harborough District Council’s Executive has voted to ‘reluctantly’ recommend the area takes on some of Leicester’s unmet housing need.

But it says the council’s stance could change between now and when the full council considers the matter later this month, should it receive new guidance from government.

An extra 123 houses a year would be built in the district until 2036 under the plan, on top of Harborough’s own target of 534 annually.

The Council’s Executive discussed the proposal

All councils in Leicestershire have been asked to sign the ‘Statement of Common Ground’ as Leicester City Council says there is a lack of suitable land available to meet its own housing target.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has launched a petition urging the council to reject the idea, saying there is no legal requirement for it to sign-up to the move.

But Council officers say not doing so would threaten the district’s future Local Plan, which maps out where development can and cannot go.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council, has written to the government to seek clarification, but is yet to receive a reply.

He spoke at Monday’s Executive meeting: