Housing Decision To Be Taken After Hundreds Attend Meeting

A decision is set to be taken tonight on controversial plans which would see new homes earmarked for Leicester being built across the Harborough District instead.

It follows a public meeting at Harborough Methodist Church Hall on Friday night, which was attended by hundreds of residents concerned about proposals for Harborough District Council to sign a ‘Statement of Common Ground.

If the authority agrees to the measure it would add around a quarter more homes to Harborough’s housing target, amounting to an extra 123 houses a year until 2036.

Harborough’s MP Neil O’Brien arranged and hosted the meeting, together with the area’s two other MPs and the Leader of Harborough District Council, Cllr Phil Knowles was also there.

Mr O’Brien says a recent change in legislation means local Councils no longer have a ‘Duty to Co-operate’ with neighbouring authorities on accommodating new houses:

MP Neil O’Brien addresses the public meeting on Friday evening.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Harborough District Council has previously said not agreeing to the extra homes could jeopardise its future Local Plan, which maps out where developments go, resulting in speculative applications by developers.

However, Mr O’Brien says he has received advice from government saying that would not be the case.

Speaking at Friday’s public meeting Cllr Phil Knowles says his authority is continuing to gather and assess all the evidence:

Harborough District Council leader Phil Knowles address the meeting and MPs Alicia Kearns, Alberto Costa and Neil O’Brien
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

A meeting of the Full Council will debate the issue and make a decision tonight.