Decision On If Harborough Will Accept Extra Housing Delayed
Written by HFM News on 19th September 2023
A decision on if the Harborough District will take on housing earmarked for Leicester has been delayed.
Councillors were due to decide last night, but following representation from the area’s three Members of Parliament, who say there is no legal requirement for such a measure, it has been put back until November.
The meeting of the Full Council agreed to put the decision on-hold and invite the MP’s to meet councillors and members of the public to explain their position.
Council officers say current government planning policy means it has to sign-up to the ‘Statement of Common Ground’, which would see over 1500 extra houses built locally over the next 13 years.
All councils in Leicestershire have been asked to do so, as Leicester City Council says it does not have enough suitable land to accommodate its own housing target.
Cllr Simon Galton, portfolio holder for planning, spoke at the meeting:
Over 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien, urging the Council not to accept the housing.
Mr O’Brien gave his reaction to the decision being delayed:
