HDC Joins Legal Move Over Leicester Expansion

Mass opposition to plans to expand Leicester’s city boundaries is being followed by another possible legal challenge.

Harborough District Council is among five Leicestershire councils to have issued a pre-action letter to the Government.

The letter is the first formal stage in considering a judicial review of the decision on local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire County Council has also issued such a letter.

The Government’s preferred option would see Leicester’s boundaries expanded into parts of Leicestershire, affecting communities including Great Glen, Wistow and Newton Harcourt.

The councils say the Government’s own consultation showed strong opposition to the proposals, with just seven per cent of respondents expressing a positive view of Leicester City Council’s plans.

They say they are acting now to protect their legal position, despite the Government’s decision currently being paused.

Harborough District Council leader Simon Whelband

The proposed challenge would focus on whether ministers had sufficient information to properly assess the options and whether the law was correctly followed when the decision was made.

Harborough District Council leader Simon Whelband says the councils have a responsibility to protect the interests of communities affected by the proposals:

A government spokesperson previously said: “Local government reorganisation in Leicestershire will put one council in charge of decisions in their area.

“This will speed up the construction of new homes and infrastructure, improve public services and boost regional growth to put more money in people’s pockets.”