Harborough Local Plan Moves Forward Despite Opposition

Councillors have narrowly voted to submit a new Local Plan for Harborough District to the government for independent examination.

The blueprint – which includes sites for nearly 6,500 new homes, including a controversial ‘new town’ near Great Glen – was approved 17 votes to 15 at a meeting last night.

The ruling coalition group says the plan will help prevent speculative planning applications and that moving forward now allows the council to allocate fewer new homes each year before upcoming changes to the government’s planning system take effect.

However, opposition councillors raised concerns and refused to support the progress of the plan.

Campaigners gathered before last night’s meeting

More than 80 members of the campaign group Stop The New Town (STNT) attended the meeting, with some watching on a television screen outside the council chamber after the public gallery reached capacity.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council, spoke to HFM after the vote passed:

Last night’s meeting of Harborough District Council

Opposition councillors argue the plan does not include sufficient infrastructure improvements and all Conservative councillors voted against moving it forward, with one abstaining.

Cllr Simon Whelband heads-up the Conservative group and also spoke to HFM:

Members of the campaign group Stop The New Town  attended the meeting, with some watching on a television screen outside the council chamber after the public gallery reached capacity.

Campaigners say they will continue to oppose the identification of the site at Stretton Hall near Great Glen for around 4,000 new homes, which has attracted more than 2,000 objections.

Henri Winand, chair of STNT, said residents remain concerned about the scale of development and supporting infrastructure:

The Local Plan, which sets out development sites across the district over the next 15 years, will now move to the next stage of independent examination, where it will be assessed for legal compliance and “soundness” before it can be considered for formal adoption.