Call For Publication Of Review Into Handling Of Controversial Re-Development Plan

There are calls for the publication of an internal review into a controversial redevelopment plan in Market Harborough.

It was launched by Harborough District Council a year ago, after opposition councillors raised concerns about the way the plan for Naseby Square on the Southern Estate was handled.

The Council brought forward the plan for the ‘affordable homes’ scheme, which was granted planning permission last year and will see the demolition of some bungalows.

It will be carried out by Platform Housing Group, after the authority sold its land on the site to the housing association.

The Council, which says it will report on the review subject to legal consideration, was accused of paying over the odds when it spent £920,000 buying a bungalow in neighbouring Granville Street, so its land could be used in the re-development.

Residents who were to be affected were sent a letter out-of-the-blue by the housing association, informing them their homes would be knocked down.

Cllr Roger Dunton, who represents the southern estate. was one of those who called for the investigation:

Liz Elliot, Deputy Chief Executive at Harborough District Council said: “The Council intends to report on its property review at the next Audit & Standards Committee, subject to legal considerations.”

Protesters outside homes in Naseby Square