The Blaby Local Development Framework Core Strategy

(Alternative Options)

Blaby District Council  needs the views of local residents and businesses to help plan and shape  future development sites in the District.

The Council is producing a document which  will shape the way the District grows and changes up to 2026  In order to produce “The  Local Development Framework Core Strategy.”  The Council has to consider  ‘Alternative Options’ for the location of major new development within the District.   This includes new housing and employment sites  which will be needed to meet  the requirements recently identified in a Draft Regional Plan issued by the Government.

During  November and December  the Council will be asking residents and local businesses  what  they think would be the best locations for the 8,650 houses and a large employment site  which are required within the District up to 2026. The Council will also be asking for the views of the community and development experts to establish the best location for a large ‘Sustainable Urban Extension’ (of some 4,000 houses). It also has to identify  which villages within the District are most able to accommodate more houses and other development.

 A number of initial options have been put forward for large scale housing growth including 3 sites around the Leicester Forest East / Lubbesthorpe, Enderby, Kirby Muxloe and Glenfield areas. Three options have also been put forward for Strategic Employment sites around Glenfield and Enderby.

The document also considers issues such as how to address renewable energy and climate change, the future of Green Wedges and the future role of Fosse Park.

At this stage, none of the options in the document represents the policy of the Council.  All the ideas and suggestions received will be considered and will be used  in the production of the next   version of the Core Strategy.  This will be submitted to the Government for consideration in the summer of 2009 and  will then be considered by an Independent Panel at a Public Examination, which is likely to be held early in 2010. The Panel’s findings following the examination must be followed by the Council.

Cllr Jackie Dickinson, Blaby District  Council Cabinet Member for  Growth Development and Assets said

 “The Council is going to be faced with some very big decisions over the coming months. It is important that people are aware of the large scale growth that the Council is required to provide and have the opportunity to say where they would like the development to be, and which areas they think should be protected”.

The Council would like as many people as possible  who live, work or otherwise use the District of Blaby to put forward their views on the Alternative Options.   They can do this during a 6 week consultation exercise on the draft Core Strategy which will take place in November and December 2008.

They can do this by attending one of the exhibitions  which will be held around the District.  Planning officers will there to answer questions and give more details on the proposals.  There will also be . Static exhibitions w at the Council offices in Narborough, Braunstone Town Civic Centre and Blaby Connect Service Shop. Copies of the Alternative Options paper will also be available at all libraries in the District.

Precise dates and times for exhibitions will be displayed in local press and on the Council’s web-site (www.blaby.gov.uk) nearer the time.