Monday July 12, 2021
For immediate release
Launch of Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 consultation
Charnwood Borough Council today (12 July) launches a six-week consultation about its new Local Plan and vision for the area over the next 16 years.
Councillors last month agreed that the Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37 should go out for public consultation ahead of its planned submission to Government.
Public consultation will enable residents, businesses and other interested parties to submit comments about the ‘soundness’ of the local plan
The Local Plan is a key strategic framework for supporting future growth and developing healthy communities and environmental safeguards. It guides development and identifies locations for housing and employment land. The Local Plan also considers the impacts of climate change, infrastructure needs and protection of green spaces.
The purpose of the consultation is for interested parties to comment on the ‘soundness’ of the Local Plan in meeting standards set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Representations will be collected by the Council and submitted to Government alongside the Local Plan. A Planning Inspector will then be appointed to consider the documents during a public examination.
Guidance on ‘soundness’ and how to make effective representations is available on our website along with some frequently asked questions.
Councillor Richard Bailey, lead member for planning, said: “This latest consultation means that residents, businesses and other interested parties get another chance to engage with the Local Plan process.
“There were hundreds of representations in 2019 when the draft Local Plan was subject to consultation and these have helped to shape the new local plan.”
“We have provided guidance on the website which will help interested parties make their views count when this key document goes in front of the Planning Inspector.”
The Charnwood Local Plan 2021-37:
Identifies 154 hectares of employment land to support the creation of 8,900 jobs in the borough and lead its pandemic recovery
Allocates land for new sustainable and well-designed homes. The Government has set a target of 1,111 new homes a year to meet the borough’s needs up to 2037.
Focuses development towards intensifying and extending existing urban and suburban areas and larger villages, thereby protecting nearly 279 square kilometres of open countryside
Plans for the critical mass of development needed to secure infrastructure – including five new schools at Loughborough, Shepshed, Barrow, Anstey and Syston – as well as health services, roads and public transport networks
Will bring in an estimated £200 million in Section 106 money to pay for other improvements to facilities and amenities
Reflects the importance of the environment and conserving biodiversity, protecting heritage sites, creating open leisure spaces and supporting healthier communities
Carefully considers of the effects of climate change and how to reduce its impacts, including flooding
Makes effective use of the borough’s strategic infrastructure, including Loughborough University, the urban edge of Leicester and the International Gateway connection to the M1 motorway and East Midlands Airport
The consultation runs from 12 July to 23 August 2021.
The Council has provided a host of information about the Local Plan on its website, including a set of frequently asked questions.
In addition, the Council will also be holding two virtual briefings for people to attend.
To find out more about the Local Plan, make your comments during the consultation and sign up to the briefings, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/localplan.
You can also email localplans@charnwood.gov.uk or call the Local Plan Team on 01509 634929 to find out more about how to have your say if you do not have access to the internet.
Hard copies of the documents are available for viewing at the Council Offices at Southfield Road in Loughborough. Visitors will require a pre-booked appointment. Please call 01509 634 560 to arrange a time for viewing.
ENDS