‘New Town’ Plan For Land Near Great Glen

The government has named an area in the Harborough District as a potential location for a new town.

Up to 4,000 new homes would be built on government-owned land at Stretton Hall near Great Glen, if the plan went ahead.

The location has been identified as part of plans to speed-up the delivery of new housing across the country, through the government’s ‘New Homes Accelerator’ scheme.

Concern is being expressed following the announcement, with fears the area does not have the infrastructure to cope with such a large-scale development.

Cllr Phil King represents near-by Kibworth:

The government says its officials will work closely with house-builders and councils on the various schemes and extra resources could be provided to local authorities to help progress them.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “The New Homes Accelerator programme will work closely with house builders and councils including Harborough to build the homes we desperately need.”

Harborough District Council says the site has previously been put forward by landowners for potential development under the council’s ‘call for sites’ process and is one of a number being considered through its Local Plan process, but it has had no conversations about a new town at the location.

The council is now seek an urgent meeting with government ministers over the announcement, made by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien says he will fight the plan and is seeking a meeting with her:

The area was identified as a possible site for a new ‘eco-town’ of up to 15,000 homes by government in the late 2000’s, but the idea was later dropped following mass opposition.

Cllr Simon Galton, Cabinet lead for Planning at Harborough District Council, said: “We have been aware of this site for a long time.

“This is a government-owned site, which has been promoted for some time through the Local Plan.

“It will be fully assessed and considered through the preparation of the Local Plan, which will be published for full public consultation.”

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “The government’s announcement serves only to reinforce our calls for an urgent meeting with ministers to look closely at all aspects of this matter.

“There are so many areas of potential impact, so many questions to be answered.

“I am prepared to meet the ministers here in Harborough District or London. As soon as the ministers confirm a time and place I and my Cabinet colleagues with supporting officers will be there.”